Heavy rain and gale-force winds are forecast to hit parts of the UK this weekend in the first named storm of the season.

       The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for parts of north-west England as well as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, ahead of Storm Ashley’s arrival on Sunday.

       The storm will bring strong winds across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to experience the worst conditions.

       Advertisement

       Cumbria and other north-western regions could see winds of up to 60mph, with coastal areas and higher ground likely to be bearing the brunt. The weather could disrupt travel, with ferry services and coastal routes particularly vulnerable to high winds and heavy rain.

       Tony Wisson, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Storm Ashley will bring strong winds for most of the UK on Sunday before it clears on Monday, with a chance of some disruption across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west England and west Wales.

       “A period of especially strong winds is expected on Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, and an amber warning for winds has been issued here.

       “More generally, 50-60mph gusts are possible in some inland areas in other parts of the warning area, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70mph along exposed coasts and hills. These strong winds, in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause some disruption.”

       Sunday’s Great South Run in Portsmouth was called off ahead of the storm, with the adverse weather conditions showing no signs of likely improvement in time for the race. About 23,000 runners had been expected to take part.

       Western parts of the UK could wake up to 50 to 60mph winds and heavy rain, particularly affecting exposed coasts and hills, the Met Office said.

       Sunday’s strongest winds will sweep exposed parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with 70mph gusts likely. Aidan McGivern, a Met Office meteorologist, said they could reach 80mph “or perhaps a fraction more” in parts of Scotland.

       He added: “Those kinds of wind gusts could cause considerable disruption, damage to buildings, transport disruptions of the ferry crossings, for example. And also the risk to coastal communities of flooding because these winds coincide with high tides, so that risk is especially great.”