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.
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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.
Storm Agnes causing heavy traffic - Waze Live Traffic Data
As the evening rush hour beckons, Storm Agnes is causing heavy traffic across the UK, data from navigation app Waze shows.
The UK roads will be taking the brunt of the weather, strong winds, obstructions and heightened congestion, experts from the app advised.
“Several regions across Ireland have been hit with strong winds driven by Storm Agnes, with further stormy weather and high-speed winds expected”, a spokesperson for Waze said.
“This is causing significant congestion for drivers in Cork, with the Waze Live Map showing bumper to bumper traffic on the R610 Parnell Pl and speeds as low as 4mph. Heavy traffic can also be seen on Anglesea Street, with reported speeds of 6mph.”
“With strong winds expected over the next two days, be sure to check the Waze Live Map or Waze app for the latest real-time updates on road closures, weather hazards, accidents, and more, ensuring those making essential journeys are informed before the set off.”
Surfers make the most of the large waves before Agnes hits
Surfers on the Welsh south coast were spotted making the most of the high waves ahead of Storm Agnes.
The beach-goers were seen on Tuesday afternoon after the Met Office warned the extreme weather will bring ‘large waves’ to UK coasts.
Pair caught wading into sea while Storm Agnes batters Republic of Ireland coast
A pair of swimmers have been caught wading into the sea whilst Storm Agnes batters the Republic of Ireland’s coast.
Storm Agnes, the first named storm of the season, is forecast to bring strong and disruptive winds until Thursday morning.
Fallen trees are being reported across the island, with the roof being blown off a building in Youghal, Co Cork.
Watch:
Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure urges caution from drivers
In Northern Ireland the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has urged caution from road users in the heavy wind and rain, and warned that strike action may affect the department’s ability to deal with any damage caused.
In a statement the DfI said: “Ongoing industrial action by members of the Unite and GMB unions until midnight on Wednesday September 27 may disrupt the Department’s initial response to any potential storm clear-up operation and other essential services which are routinely delivered by DfI staff on the road network.”
Impacted services include response and clear-up operations when there are incidents on the road such as unexpected debris, response to calls to the flood incident line and response to flood emergencies.
NI Electricity has warned that power cuts are possible, and ESB networks are showing power faults in a number of counties including Cork, Wexford and Tipperary.
Huge waves pummel coast as Storm Agnes makes landfall in Ireland
Huge waves have been captured pummelling the coast as Storm Agnes makes landfall in Ireland.
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, County Cork.
Elsewhere, Kerry County Council said it has crews dealing with fallen trees and branches at a number of locations.
Met Office warns of ‘tricky’ driving conditions as Storm Agnes continues to sweep UK
The Met Office has warned of “tricky” driving conditions as Storm Agnes continues to sweep the UK.
“Storm Agnes will continue to bring very wet and windy weather to many parts of the UK this evening with various weather warnings for wind and rain in force”, a Met Office spokesperson told The Independent.
“Some particularly tricky driving conditions are likely across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Northern England where some of the worst of the weather is expected.
“Irish Sea coastal areas will also have notably gusty winds. Overnight the wind and rain will slowly begin to ease.”
Flight undergoes bumpy landing into Manchester Airport
A flight has been pictured undergoing a bumpy landing into Manchester Airport as Storm Agnes continues to heat up.
Elsewhere, Cork Airport has experienced some delays and cancellations, and a spokesperson from Belfast City airport said disruption to schedules across the UK due to the weather is “likely.”
The strongest winds are expected to hit Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland, west and northwest Wales, Cumbria and Lancashire, where the Met Office warned some places inland could experience winds of up to 60 mph, reaching 75 mph over hills and around coastal areas.
How does the Met Office choose storm names?
The Met Office names its storms when they are set to have a medium or high impact on the UK in order to help it communicate with the public in times of severe weather, announcing a list of storm names at the start of the new season in September.
These are compiled jointly by the UK’s Met Office, Irish meteorologists at Met Éireann and the Dutch forecasters at KNMI.
The Met Office welcomes suggestions from the public, who have been invited to submit names for future storms since 2015.
The institution says it usually receives thousands of suggestions throughout the year, which it uses to come up with the list of future storm names, along with suggestions from the Irish and Dutch weather services.
It makes sure to choose “some of the more popular names and names that reflect the diversity of the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands”.
The list starts with A and runs through the alphabet, alternating between traditional male and female names. However, there are no storm names starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z. This is to maintain consistency with the US, which does not use these letters to name storms either.
Fire fighters tackle fallen tree in Dublin
A fire station in Dublin has dealt with a downed tree as forecasters have warned that the “worst conditions are still to come.”
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.
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 has more:
Storm Agnes tracker: When and where 80mph winds will hit over next 24 hours
Only southern England is due to be spared from torrential rain and strong winds
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