UK facing 800 mile-wide ‘Storm Agnes’ set to spark power cuts and travel chaos

Agnes is poised to become autumn’s first named storm – as an 800 mile-wide Atlantic tempest brings 80mph gales.

Wednesday’s battering is set to spark power cuts and travel chaos from falling trees, plus widespread floods. The South-West, Midlands and North will all be hit.

The Met Office will officially name the storm Agnes once the Atlantic weather system reaches its potential for amber warnings. Forecaster Craig Snell said: “We’re keeping a very close eye on it. If we feel the storm warrants being named, we will name it. Severe gales are expected, with potential impacts from wind and rain across many parts of the UK.”

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The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze added: “There is a real possibility Storm Agnes could arrive. Strong winds and heavy rain could lead to disruption.” More bursts of strong winds and rain will follow – sweeping away today’s 23C Indian Summer sunshine in the south of England.

A Met Office forecaster said: “From Thursday is likely to see a mixture of showers, heavier rain and brief drier interludes, with the wettest conditions across north-western areas, possibly accompanied by strong winds.”

Gusts are expected to reach up to 80mph in coastal areas and between 50mph and 60mph inland, with a Met Office weather warning coming into place at 10am on Wednesday and lasting until 7am on Thursday.

The chaotic conditions will be felt from Aberdeen in Scotland right down to the Midlands, with cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Cardiff all impacted.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Mark Sidaway, said: "A deep area of low pressure is expected to approach south-west Ireland early on Wednesday, and track across northern parts of the UK before clearing early Thursday. There is some uncertainty on the precise track and strength of this weather system, however the most likely outcome at present is for a wide swathe of 50 to 60mph gusts affecting inland areas."

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