Storm Agnes latest: Met Office issues new weather warning for torrential rain

The warning is set to kick in at 8pm on Thursday and remain in place until 2am on Friday morning.

Met Office issue a danger to life warning for Wednesday and Thursday as the UK braces for up to 80mph winds

The Met Office have issued a new weather warning for torrential rain this evening.

It comes as Storm Agnes arrived overnight with powerful 80mph gusts, leading to power outages, widespread flooding and the toppling of trees.

A yellow weather warning was issued by the forecaster on Thursday morning, just hours after the last weather warning for wind was removed at 7am. The new warning will affect areas in southern Wales including Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.

The warning is set to kick in at 8pm on Thursday and remain in place until 2am on Friday morning.

The Met Office say people should expect “difficult driving conditons and perhaps a few road closures”, as well as delays or cancellations to train and bus services.

Gusts of up to 70mph had already been recorded in south-west Ireland, with the storm hitting areas of northern England and Scotland on Wednesday.

In addition to the weather warning, there are currently 11 flood warnings and 20 flood alerts still in place across England, Scotland and Wales.

Impacted by Storm Agnes? Send your pictures and videos to alexander.ross@independent.co.uk.

Key Points

• ‘Worst conditions still to come’ as Storm Agnes hits UK
• Woman trapped inside submerged car rescued
• Met Office say storm will ‘rapidly intensify’ over the next day
• Which regions will Storm Agnes affect?
• List of yellow warnings in place
• Weather warnings activated as Storm Agnes arrives in Ireland

[27 September 2023 13:35 · Eleanor Noyce]

County Cork Ferry battles on through Storm Agnes

Amidst adverse weather conditions, the Cobh Ferry in County Cork, Ireland has been pictured continuing to transport passengers.

Strong winds were reported in County Cork at 9am, and both Met Eireann and the Met Office have warned of the possibility of disruption to travel.

In the Republic of Ireland a status orange wind warning is in place in several counties.

A status yellow warning for rain is also in place across large areas.

[27 September 2023 13:56 · Eleanor Noyce]

Manx passenger ferries cancelled across Wednesday

All ferry sailings to and from the Isle of Man have been cancelled following unexpected gales across the Irish Sea.

The Maxman sailings between Douglas and Heysham Port in Lancashire have been pulled, as have the Manannan’s return trip to Liverpool and crossings by the Ben-my-Chree.

[27 September 2023 14:14 · Eleanor Noyce]

Waves crash across Poolbeg

Waves have been pictured crashing across Poolbeg, an artificial peninsula extending from Ringsend, Dublin, into Dublin Bay.

Storm Agnes, which is the first named storm of the season, is forecast to bring strong and disruptive winds until Thursday morning.

Both Met Eireann and the Met Office have warned of the possibility of disruption to travel, with a status orange wind warning in place in several counties across the Republic of Ireland.

[27 September 2023 14:40 · Eleanor Noyce]

Ofgem issues warning over power cuts and gas leaks

Ofgem has issued a warning to customers over potential disruptions to electricity supply.

“Bad weather is on the way with yellow warnings in place for most of the UK especially the North”, the energy regulator warned on X.

“Save these emergency numbers on your phone in case of a disruption to your energy supply

“Powercut? Call 105

“Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999.”

[27 September 2023 15:00 · Eleanor Noyce]

Storm Agnes tracker: When and where 80mph winds will hit over next 24 hours

As Storm Agnes hits the UK, weather warnings have been announced across the country with winds of 75mph expected this afternoon.

The Met Office has said that the first named storm of the season will “rapidly intensify”, with a danger to life warning issued by the forecaster from Wednesday until Thursday.

While initially a bright and dry morning, Storm Agnes is set to arrive from the west by the afternoon, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that could cause flooding and distruption to travel services.

Holly Evans reports:

[27 September 2023 15:21 · Eleanor Noyce]

In pictures: Storm Agnes lands in Ireland

Cars have been pictured driving through floodwaters, waves crashing onto promenades and roofs blown off buildings as Storm Agnes sweeps Ireland.

Both Met Eireann and the Met Office have warned of the possibility of disruption to travel, with a status orange wind warning in place in several counties.

A status yellow warning for rain is also in place across large areas.

A car driving through floodwater in Cork (PA)

People walk along the Clontarf promenade, Dublin, as Storm Agnes lands (PA)

The scene in Youghal, Co Cork, where a roof has been blown from a building (PA)

Cars pass waves crashing over a wall into the road in Youghal, Co Cork (PA)

[27 September 2023 15:44 · Eleanor Noyce]

‘Worst conditions still to come’ as Storm Agnes hits UK

Forecasters have warned the “worst conditions are still to come”, with Storm Agnes set to make landfall in the UK after battering the south of Ireland with gale force winds.

Agnes, the first named storm of the season, has triggered a series of Met Office yellow weather warnings for wind and rain, with forecasts of damaging winds and big stormy seas.

Gusts of up to 70mph had already been recorded in south-west Ireland, with the storm set to hit areas of northern England and Scotland later on Wednesday.

Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: “This evening’s rush hour could be quite tricky” in some north and north-western areas of the UK, as it is expected to coincide with expected periods of strong wind and rain.

He added: “Some of the worst conditions are still to come. The rain warnings are out to cover through the evening and the wind warnings are into the overnight period.

“We are looking at high gusts developing.”

A van driving through floodwater in Cork (PA)

[27 September 2023 16:01 · Eleanor Noyce]

RNLI advises staying a ‘safe distance’ away from water and cliff edges

The storm is likely to cause “dangerous conditions” on the coasts around the UK and Ireland, according to The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

They advised staying a “safe distance” away from the water and cliff edges.

Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Commander Bev Allen said: “The first few storms of the autumn and winter are always a little frightening for us, as people are still in summer mode, the power of the waves can take them by surprise.

“We would encourage people to stay away from the water’s edge in stormy weather - it’s not worth risking your life for that selfie. Keep off groynes, piers, jetties and harbour walls. If you can feel the spray, you’re too close.”

On the weather from Thursday, Mr Petagna said: “The weather will stay unsettled for the next few days but we are not expecting it to be as impactful.”

[27 September 2023 16:19 · Eleanor Noyce]

Cork Airport experiences delays and cancellations as Storm Agnes wreaks havoc on transport

Cork Airport has experienced some delays and cancellations amidst Storm Agnes, and a spokesperson from Belfast City Airport said disruption to schedules across the UK due to the weather is “likely.”

Meanwhile, Dublin Airport said it is operating normally, but had received a number of flights that had been diverted from Kerry Airport.

In a statement, Irish Ferries said disruption to schedules may be experienced due to adverse weather conditions over the coming days, with passengers advised to check schedules.

Fallen trees are being reported across the island, with the roof being blown off a building in Youghal, Co Cork.

Kerry County Council said it has crews dealing with fallen trees and branches at a number of locations.

(PA)

[27 September 2023 16:35 · Eleanor Noyce]

Met Office releases latest satellite images of Storm Agnes’ movements

As Storm Agnes sweeps the UK, the Met Office has released the latest satellite images of its movements.

“#StormAgnes continues to track northeast through this afternoon, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to northern and western parts of the UK”, it stated via X.