When Devon can expect rain as Storm Ashley hits UK this weekend

A yellow weather warning has been issued as 80mph gusts are expected in some places

Large parts of Devon should prepare for a drenching this weekend as Storm Ashley is expected to sweep across the Republic of Ireland before hitting the UK.

A yellow weather warning for wind has been put in place by the Met Office from 3am until 11.59pm on Sunday (October 20), covering Scotland, parts of the north-west of England, and the length of the west coast of Wales.

The weather front is expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph - and even parts of the south-west, which is not covered by the weather warning, should brace for rain during the early part of Sunday.

Rain is expected to move up over Cornwall and towards Devon from the south-west in the early hours of Sunday morning, with Plymouth and Tavistock being the first areas to be hit by showers at about 4.15am.

At around 5am, showers will also hit Barnstaple and the Lynton and Lynmouth areas in north Devon, before heavier rain moves in from the south-west over Plymouth and Tavistock at around 6am - up to 8mm of rainfall an hour.

By 7am, much of Devon can expect to be blanketed in rain, with this being heaviest in Tavistock as well as Honiton, where up to 8mm an hour can be expected at this time.

This heavier rain will continue in these areas until around 9.15am, while parts of north Devon, including Barnstaple and Dulverton, can also expect as much as 8mm of rainfall an hour between 8.30am and 9.30am on Sunday.

The rain will then move eastwards, over Somerset and Dorset, after 10am, with Devon looking largely dry by Sunday lunchtime.

However, Met Office forecasts predict wind gusts of up to 45mph in both Tavistock and Barnstaple on Sunday morning, and up to 48mph in Plymouth.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Across the UK, we're expecting a windy period from Sunday into Monday. However, parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and North West Wales are at an increased risk of disruption.

"Strong south to southeasterly winds are likely to develop on Sunday morning, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in some inland areas, particularly Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and potentially up to 60-70mph along exposed coasts and hills.

"Winds will then likely turn southwesterly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55-65mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause 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."