Exact date 'explosive' Storm Ashley to batter Scotland with 80mph gales

Multiple weather warnings are in place for the country - including a 'danger to life' amber alert.

Scots are being urged to brace for a blustery weekend as Storm Ashely is set to batter the UK.

Multiple yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office, starting on Friday (October 18) with strong winds and high tides forecasted through Monday. A third 'danger to life' amber alert for wind has been issued for the northwest that's set to cause disruption, lasting into next week.

The latest storm, named by Irish forecaster Met Eireann, is set to being strong winds and heavy rain on Sunday. The Met Office's new amber alert is in place for Sunday (October 20) from 9am until midnight and covers Highlands & Eilean Siar, as well as Argyll & Bute.

Residents of these areas are being warned of potential power cuts, damage to buildings, longer journey times, road closures and public transport delays. Those in coastal areas are being warned of potential injuries and larger danger to live from large waves and coastal material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.

While a dry start is expected for the beginning of Friday for most parts of Scotland, strong winds blowing north and west will appear in the afternoon as a low-pressure system arrives. The Met Office forecasts winds up to 60mph on Friday with gusts reaching 80mph on Sunday (October 20) in some parts of Scotland.

Sunday’s forecast is more severe and prolonged as Storm Ashley begins, with the yellow warning currently in place from 3am on Sunday until midnight on Monday (October 21). This will be followed by a separate yellow wind warning on Monday, which is to begin on midnight and last until 9am and expands further northwards.

The Met Office attributes this to a strengthening bout of low pressure that is set to collide with a turbulent jet stream, resulting in particularly grim conditions.

In a Tweet published on Thursday, the Met Office said: "We're keeping a close eye on developments in the Atlantic Ocean this weekend.

"An area of low pressure is expected to 'explosively' deepen as it crosses the jet stream and this will bring a period of stormy weather to parts of the British Isles on Sunday."

Winds will blow south to south easterly and develop through Sunday morning. Inland areas and western Scotland may see gusts of 50-60mph with winds reaching up to 60-70mph along exposed coasts and hills.

Later in the day on Sunday, winds will likely turn southwesterly. Western Scotland can expect winds to reach as high as 70-80mph in exposed areas, with slightly milder 55-65mph winds in other parts of the affected area.

Be wary of coastal impacts continuing into the weekend along the coasts, as the winds will be accompanied by a high spring tide.

For those in the south and east of the country, weather will be dryer and brighter with temperatures near normal or slightly above average.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “A period of strong south to southeasterly winds is likely across western Scotland on Friday morning into the early afternoon, before easing and turning southwesterly through the afternoon.

“Wind gusts of 45-55mph are possible fairly widely for a time, and perhaps in excess of 60mph in more exposed locations. Given the wind direction and high spring tides, some disruption is possible.”

Tony Wisson is a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office and said:

“At present, a windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and North West Wales, there is an increased chance of some disruption.

"It’s likely that Sunday’s wind warning will be updated and refined as confidence increases, and more warnings for the rainfall that is expected is likely. It is therefore important people stay up to date with the latest forecast.”

Scotland's yellow weather warnings- areas affected

Friday

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Na h-Eileanan Siar
• Highland

Strathclyde

• Argyll and Bute

Sunday & Monday

Central, Tayside & Fife

• Angus
• Clackmannanshire
• Dundee
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Perth and Kinross
• Stirling

Grampian

• Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Na h-Eileanan Siar
• Highland

North West England

• Cumbria

Orkney & Shetland

• Orkney Islands
• Shetland Islands

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• East Lothian
• Edinburgh
• Midlothian Council
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Strathclyde

• Argyll and Bute
• East Ayrshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• East Renfrewshire
• Glasgow
• Inverclyde
• North Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire
• Renfrewshire
• South Ayrshire
• South Lanarkshire
• West Dunbartonshire

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.