A severe red wind weather warning has been issued for parts of the UK, with gusts of 90mph expected.
The Met Office has said “damaging winds” associated with Storm Darragh are expected to cause “significant disruption” and there is a “danger to life” due to flying debris.
The warning covers coastal areas of Wales and the South West of England, including Cardiff, Bristol and Devon, and is in place from 3am-11am on Saturday.
Forecasters predict the strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning.
Red weather warnings are the most serious type, and are only issued by forecasters when “dangerous weather” is expected.
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“It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure,” the Met Office website states.
Flying debris and trees falling over is expected, while large waves and beach material could be thrown on to coastal roads and seafronts.
A separate red warning for wind has also been issued by the Irish meteorological service, Met Eireann.
It covers coastal areas of Ireland including Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo and comes into force from Friday evening until early Saturday morning.
“A period of extremely strong winds will develop during the early hours of Saturday morning as Storm Darragh moves across the Irish Sea,” the Met Office said.
The weather warnings across Ireland for Friday (L) and Saturday (R). Pics: Met Eireann
“Gusts of 90 mph or more are possible over coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches.
“The strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning, though it will remain very windy with Amber wind warnings still in force until the evening.”
Snow is expected in Scotland on Friday night and into Saturday. Pic: Met Office
Two amber warnings for wind and a swathe of yellow warnings also remain in place covering Northern Ireland, the west coast of England, Wales and parts of Scotland on Saturday.
While snow is expected in large parts of central Scotland, with a Met Office yellow weather warning in place from 8pm Friday evening until 9am on Saturday.
Parts of Wales and Northern Ireland are also covered by rain warnings, similar areas that were badly hit by Storm Bert late last month.
Up to 60mm of rain expected to fall in affected areas, which may lead to some flooding and disruption, forecasters said.
At the time of writing, seven flood warnings and 98 flood alerts had been issued by the Environment Agency for England, while six flood alerts were in place across Wales and 11 in Scotland.
