Do not travel! Countdown to Storm Isha with trains, flights and ferries already cancelled as UK is blanketed by 'unusual' danger-to-life warnings from 6pm tonight before 90mph tempest triggers commuter chaos tomorrow

Two wind amber alerts were put in place for the country on Sunday Rail, sea and air travellers are set to face disruption with cancellationsThe storm could see 70mph winds inland, 80mph on coastal regions and 90mph in parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland 

People have been warned not to travel ahead of Storm Isha, as the UK is blanketed by ‘unusual’ danger-to-life warnings amid possible 90mph winds.

A number of weather warnings, including two amber wind alerts, were put in place by the Met Office across the country for Sunday, when the storm will swoop in.

Rail, sea and air travellers are set to face disruption, with closures, cancellations and delays expected across a number of services.

Damage to homes and buildings, falling trees, power cuts, flying debris, large waves and even some flooding in places should also be expected, forecasters warn.

The Met Office has said ‘everyone will be affected’ by the storm which could see 70mph winds inland and gusts of 80mph on coastal regions. In parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland winds could reach 90mph.

LONDON: Passengers at Euston station following train delays as Storm Isha has brought severe disruption to rail services

LONDON: Severe delays and cancellations due to the storm are causing travel chaos

Windy conditions have been picking up in the Irish Sea ahead of the arrival of Storm Isha. This ferry had departed Milford Haven in Wales for its crossing to Rosslare, Ireland

BLACKPOOL: Storm Isha sees huge waves batter the coast this morning

LONDON: Members of the public struggle during windy weather on Westminster Bridge

BRIGHTON: Early morning walkers get soaked as the waves crash by the Palace Pier

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: ‘We’re expecting widespread gales to affect the UK, amber warnings are in place for large parts of the country.

‘There’s the potential for danger-to-life and damaging winds potentially leading to some power cuts in places, some large waves around coastal regions could bring some debris onto roads and trees could come down.’

He added: ‘We have a wind warning in place across the whole of the UK, it’s pretty unusual for the whole of the country to be under a blanket wind warning.’

Two different amber warnings are in place across most of the UK from 6pm to Monday morning, saying 70mph winds should be expected inland, with gusts of 80mph on coastal regions.

In parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland winds could reach 90mph.

LONDON: People wait with their coats and suitcases following travel disruption

LONDON: Those attempting to travel by rail may face difficulties due to the bad weather

DORSET: Brave swimmers brace the icy water as Storm Isha hits the UK

DORSET: Waves crash against a groyne at Boscombe beach today

DORSET: People kitesurf at Boscombe beach amid danger-to-life warnings

A yellow wind warning also covers the UK, including parts of London and the south-east, while four rain alerts were in place around the country.

Nearly four inches of rain could fall over a few hours in some regions and cause localised flooding, with nine flood warnings already in place across England.

Many train lines across Scotland will close on Sunday night, with ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper among those stopping some services.

Avanti West Coast has warned against travel, with trains running at reduced speed, while TransPennine Express is advising passengers not to use services between Preston and Edinburgh and Preston and Glasgow in the afternoon.

LNER, advises against travel north of Edinburgh from the afternoon and into Monday, while Transport for Wales cancelled a number of services.

Elsewhere, East Midlands Railway said it expected ‘significant disruption’ on Sunday and Monday and delays and alterations to services, while South Western Railway is reducing its trains in the west of England.

Air traffic control restrictions are in place, leading to some flight cancellations.

British Airways said: ‘Like other airlines, we have had to make schedule adjustments due to the adverse weather conditions across the UK and Europe caused by Storm Isha.

LEEDS: An aircraft arriving from Dublin is blown sideways when landing at the airport today

Ferry navigates rough waters as winds churn up Irish seas ahead of Storm Isha

‘We’ve apologised to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans and our teams are working hard to get them on their way as quickly as possible.’

Ferry company Wightlink has also warned of potential disruption, while the RAC warned drivers to lower their speeds and even consider delaying journeys.

Storm Isha is the ninth named storm to hit the UK since the season began in September.

Each storm is named when it poses a risk to people and they are given names beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet.

The record number of named storms in one year is when the Met Office began the practice in 2015/16, with Storm Katie being the 11th and final storm of the season.

The Met Office has Yellow rain warnings in place as Storm Isha heads towards the UK

If there are three more named storms between next week and August, this year will mark a new record.

Cold Arctic air pushing south into North America is making the jet stream more active, the Met Office said, and because it flows from west to east, it is bringing stormier weather to the UK.

In Ireland, a Status Red wind warning has been issued for counties Donegal, Galway and Mayo ahead of the ‘destructive gusts’ expected today.

The Environment Agency has also issued 59 flood alerts – where flooding is possible – in England. Elsewhere, Scotland has 14 flood alerts and eight flood warnings out, while Wales has issued a singular flood alert.

It comes after an Arctic blast saw much of the country gripped by sub-zero temperatures on Thursday and Friday, with the mercury now set to rise as cold and clear conditions are replaced by milder, stormy weather.

The Met Office has issued ‘danger to life’ amber weather warnings for wind for northern and western England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland from Sunday into Monday.

Amber warnings for wind are also in place for much of the UK in a rare move for the Met Office

East Midlands Railway warned of disruption to travel today after ‘speed restrictions’ were imposed for the storm.

The same is said for Avanti West Coast, which posted on X: ‘Due to a speed restriction because of high winds trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines. We are recommending you do not travel today.’

Likewise, LNER (London North Eastern Railway) advised travellers to check their journey. It added that those north of Edinburgh should avoid travelling after 16:000 today until 12:00 on Monday.

Many ferry services are also cancelled or delayed, with Irish Ferries cancelling journeys between Holyhead and Dublin and between Pembroke and Rosslare.

In Cheshire, police have already been called out after receiving reports of a fallen tree blocking a road in Styal.

Met Eireann said ‘extremely strong’ winds and ‘destructive gusts’ are expected in three counties in Ireland today, particularly in coastal and exposed areas.

The red warnings are in place from 5pm to 9pm on Sunday in Galway and Mayo, and from 9pm on Sunday until 1am on Monday in Donegal.

There is a risk of dangerous coastal conditions, treacherous travelling conditions, and of significant and widespread power outages in these counties.

A Status Orange wind warning is in place across the country from 4pm or 5pm on Sunday until 2am or 3am on Monday.

Large coastal waves, very difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and damage to power lines are expected during these periods.

Hundreds of power outages have already been reported in Bishopstown and Milltown in Co Cork and in south Co Tipperary, according to the ESB’s Powercheck site.

A Status Yellow wind warning is in place from 11am today until 4am on Monday.

In Northern Ireland, an amber warning is in place in all counties from 6pm today until 9am on Monday, with a spell of ‘very strong winds’ expected.

The Department of Infrastructure warned that despite contingency measures, public workers’ strike action may disrupt any responses to incidents such as debris on roads and floods.

It said all parts of Northern Ireland are expected to be affected, but the strongest winds will be in the early hours of Monday around the coast and in exposed locations.

The public are being asked to consider their journeys and if travelling, they are advised to take extra care on the roads.

LONDON: Storm Isha is set to batter the whole of Britain with strong winds and heavy rain. Pictured: A person’s umbrella is blown inside out during heavy rain in the capital earlier this month

SURREY: A driver narrowly avoided being struck by a falling branch during Storm Henk earlier this month. More heavy rain and strong winds is on the way

SUNDAY: Strong winds associated with Storm Isha are likely to bring some disruption across the UK

Amber warnings have also been issued on Monday (left) and yellow warnings are in place for Tuesday (right)

Terrifying satellite footage has showed Storm Isha forming off North America

Another one will come in across parts of Sussex and Kent during Monday morning.

Forecasters said there was a risk to life in coastal areas from large waves and debris being blown inland, as well as damage to buildings.

Yellow warnings for wind and rain will also come into force covering the rest of the UK over the two days – meaning flooding is likely.

They tell Britons to expect travel disruption, damage to buildings and flying debris, as southwesterly winds of up to 80mph could hit exposed coasts and there could be gusts of up to 60mph inland.

Met Office Forecaster Ellie Glaisyer said: ‘The main thing about this storm is it is very widespread across the whole of the UK.

‘Quite often we see storms affecting the north west or the southern half of the UK, whereas this one, later on Sunday and into Monday, the whole of the UK is covered by a warning, which is relatively rare.

‘In that nature it’s a very widespread storm and it’s going to be affecting everybody. Heavy rain will affect everybody, those strong winds will affect everybody.

‘That’s the main difference to previous storms we have seen.’

East Midlands Railway said it expected ‘significant disruption’ today and Monday and delays and alterations to services, while Police Scotland advised people to avoid unnecessary travel.

The heaviest downpours may occur today as 30-50mm could fall in many places – and there is potential for peaks of 80-100mm over hills.

Nearly four inches of rain could fall over a few hours in some regions and cause localised flooding, with eight flood warnings – where flooding is expected – already in place across England

LONDON: A person’s umbrella is damaged during heavy rain on Westminster Bridge earlier this month

COUNTY DURHAM: Huge icicles up to 10ft in length remain after the UK was hit by an Arctic blast in recent days (Picture taken Saturday, January 20)

READING: A swimming pool in Christchurch Meadows is frozen over after a cold night by the River Thames

CAMBS: Ice covers an area in Upware before the thaw starts with a warmer weather forecast for next week

CAMBS: A red sunrise can be seen over Ely Cathedral as thin ice covers a pond in the foreground

LONDON: A swan sits on a thin layer of ice in St James’s Park Lake after an Arctic blast hit the capital

Ms Glaisyer said: ‘Anybody driving on Sunday evening and through Monday should be wary of water on the roads, lots of spray, perhaps some branches and trees may have fallen over causing roads to be blocked.

‘There’s some large waves as well that could cause disruption to ferry services and the strong winds could cause some delays to trains and plane travel.’

However, warmer temperatures will replace the recent snow and sub-zero chills felt of late, with highs of 13C possible today.

A yellow wind warning will then be in place from Tuesday afternoon until midday on Wednesday, covering Northern Ireland, north Wales, northern England and much of Scotland.

It says people should expect travel disruption, power cuts, damage to buildings and large waves, with gusts of 45-55mph likely inland, but there is the potential for 60-70mph winds.

LONDON: Birds walk on a thin layer of ice in St James’s Park Lake after subzero temperatures overnight

Temperatures plunged to -6C at a very frosty Richmond Park in South West London this week

Storm Isha is the ninth named storm to hit the UK since the season began in September.

Each storm is named when it poses a risk to people and they are given names beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet.

Cold Arctic air pushing south into North America is making the jet stream more active, the Met Office said, and because it flows from west to east, it is bringing stormier weather to the UK.

Chief Meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: ‘Storm Isha will bring strong winds to the whole of the UK through Sunday and into Monday.

‘The areas of particular concern are reflected by a large Amber severe weather warning which covers Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, Wales, much of northern England as well as southwestern parts of England.

‘In these regions we could see gusts frequently between 50-60mph and even up to 80mph in exposed coastal locations. As the storm starts to move away on Monday morning very strong winds will also develop in the far southeast of England, bringing the risk of 70-80mph gusts here too in the early hours of Monday morning.

‘Storm Isha will bring a disruptive spell of weather to the UK with strong winds across the whole country. Heavy rain will cause additional hazards, particularly in the west.

‘A number of severe weather warnings for rain have also been issued.’

Warnings highlight the possibility of travel disruption, power cuts and dangerous conditions near the coast with high waves and flying debris.

A spokesperson for Energy Networks Association, which represents Britain’s energy network operators, said: ‘An amber warning brings an increased risk of damage to homes and vital infrastructure. Energy network operators are preparing to deal with any damage quickly and safely.

‘With severe weather forecast, our advice to customers is to prepare, care and share. Prepare by going online to PowerCut105.com for advice and call 105 for free if you have a power cut. Check in with people who might need extra help, and share this information so friends and family know what to do too.

‘If you see damaged power lines or lines brought down over the coming days, stay well clear and call 105 for free to report it, or dial 999 if there’s an immediate danger to life.’