Storm Ali to pack a punch as it hits UK

DANGEROUS flying debris and travel chaos are expected as Storm Ali brings winds of up to 80mph to the UK early today.

Ali is the first of this season’s storms on a list of names drawn up in alphabetical order for the fourth year by the Met Office and Met Eireann in a Name our Storms scheme.

Amber “severe” warnings for the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been issued and road, rail and air journeys are likely to be disrupted.

There could also be damage to buildings, blown-over trees and power cuts, while flying debris could pose a danger, said the Met Office.

Dean Hall, a meteorologist, said parts of the UK felt gusts of 30-40mph yesterday, with 50mph in Wales.

Today could see winds of 60-70mph, Mr Hall said, adding it could be “close to 80mph in the far north”.

The next few storms after Ali are Bronagh, Callum, Deirdre, Erik and Freya.

Choppy seas whipped up by Storm Helene off Porthcurno in Cornwall. Next up is Storm Ali, which is expected to bring very strong winds to the UK