Storm Ashley is expected to hit Britain with 80mph winds and torrential downpours as the Met Office issues weather alerts and dozens of flood warnings.

The country is battening down the hatches and bracing for the first storm of the season, which is “likely” to bring with it the threat of injury and danger of death, according to the forecaster.

A yellow warning for wind has been in place for the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as parts of north-west England and Wales at 3am and lasts until midnight today.

An orange warning for north-west Scotland has been issued from 9am until midnight, with the weather service warning that “injury and danger to life are likely due to large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, seafronts and properties”.

Danger to life is ‘likely’ as the first named storm of the season is expected to hit the UK this weekend. Pictured: boat passengers on the River Cam

The UK is bracing for Storm Ashley over the next few hours as heavy rain and 80mph winds are “likely” to cause injury and danger to life on Sunday, the Met Office has warned. Pictured: A group hides under umbrellas as they go punting on the River Cam in Cambridge

A yellow warning for wind was put in place at 3am for the whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of north-west England and Wales and lasts until ‘at midnight today.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said on Sunday that “very strong and severe gales” were coinciding with high spring tides, which could also bring “very large waves”.

Northern Scotland will remain under a yellow warning for wind from midnight until 9am on Monday.

Further south, the Met Office has issued a yellow alert for south-west England and south Wales until midday on Sunday with a risk of travel disruption with flooding and possible service disruptions. power supply.

Mr Stroud said strong and gusty winds were expected to continue until Monday morning, meaning “debris and fallen trees” could affect commuters early in the week.

Road users in Scotland have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel where possible, while Sunday’s annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been canceled due to weather-related safety concerns .

Police Scotland advised motorists to “plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible” ahead of the “high likelihood” of disruption on the roads, while Transport Scotland warned of likely delays on public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

This map shows where flood warnings have been issued across the UK.

The storm is the first named storm of the season. In the photo: a person protects himself from the rain on Saturday

A yellow warning has been in place for Sunday from 9am to 11.59pm, with winds of 80mph likely across parts of western Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Police Scotland’s road policing, said: “Ensure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is in full roadworthy condition, with the correct tire pressure and tread. legal requirements.

“Make sure your cell phone is fully charged in case you need to call for help and if you are likely to be in your vehicle for long periods of time, carry extra clothing and water with you.”

In some parts of the UK, weekend plans have been disrupted as travel services are limited and golf courses are closed.

And Dublin Airport was forced to cancel “a small number of flights” this morning and said passengers wanting updates on a specific flight should contact that airline directly.

Scot Rail said services would be subject to “precautionary speed restrictions” from 4pm Sunday until Monday morning for services in the West and North Highlands, Ayrshire and Stranraer. The same restrictions will be introduced between Perth and Inverness from 6 p.m.

The same restrictions will be introduced between Perth and Inverness from 6 p.m.

The company warned that services on Monday morning could be affected by trees and debris on the track and asked customers to check their services before traveling.

The low pressure system will hit Britain on Sunday morning, bringing strong winds to Scotland.

YELLOW WARNING 2: Another yellow warning is in place for Monday from midnight to 9 a.m.

YELLOW WARNING 1: The Met Office on Sunday issued a yellow wind alert from 9 p.m. from 3 a.m. to midnight for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of north-west England and West Wales.

Ferry operator CalMac said many of its services on the west coast of Scotland had been canceled for Sunday and several others were at risk of disruption.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon ​​Borough Council have closed parks and open spaces, saying they will only be reopened following “necessary site inspections”.

The Met Office said Sunday would be a “very windy day” with violent spells in the northwest.

Rain will spread eastwards before clearings, but with gusty winds moving eastwards during the afternoon.

Gusts of 80mph could hit northwest Scotland and ‘injury and danger to life are likely due to large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, seafronts and properties’ .

Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said: “Parts of western Scotland could see gusts of 70-80mph during the afternoon. The weather will become drier and brighter across much of England and Wales, with some clearing during the afternoon.

Winds are expected to ease Monday with rain moving southeast. The north is expected to remain windy for much of the week.

The Environment Agency’s website on Sunday morning listed 41 active flood alerts, meaning flooding is expected, and 132 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

The warnings cover several areas of the River Severn, the south Cornwall coast and the Wye Estuary.

Natural Resources Wales said there were three flood warnings and 13 flood alerts in place, while 16 flood warnings were issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency along with 17 alerts.

Dramatic images of the storm are already starting to appear on social media, including clips of monster waves in Sennen, Cornwall and rough waters on Scotland’s “usually calm” Loch Indaal.