STORM'S COMING
UK weather: Met Office issues rare amber warning as Storm Darragh brings 80mph gales & heavy rain
Brits are bracing for a windy and rainy weekend as Storm Darragh batters the UK
THE Met Office has issued a rare amber warning as Storm Darragh is forecast to bring very strong winds and heavy rain from tomorrow.
Storm Darragh - the fourth named storm of the season - will hit the UK later on Friday and through the weekend, adding to the weeks of disruption caused by floods, icy conditions and fog.
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Gusts of up to 80mph are forecast to batter much of the country late on Friday and into Saturday.
An amber "danger to life" warning has been issued from 3am to 9am on Saturday.
The warning for "potentially damaging" winds is in place for the west coast of the UK from South Ayrshire in Scotland down to Cornwall, as well as in Northern Ireland.
Forecasters have already issued three yellow weather warnings for the next four days as the week takes a wet and windy turn.
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The Met Office says a period of unsettled weather will start today and last until Sunday morning with wet and windy weather on the cards for many Brits.
Winds of up to 80mph could hit coastal areas over the weekend while western parts of England and Wales may see 50-70mm of rainfall.
Two weather warnings are in force today - with separate warnings issued for rain and wind.
The rain warning is in force from 2pm to 6pm, covering much of the North West, parts of the Midlands, and North and Mid Wales.
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In these areas, the Met Office says people should expect ";heavy rain leading to a chance of some flooding and travel disruption".
The same area is also covered by a yellow weather warning for wind.
This larger warning also covers more areas of northern England, Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and Northern Ireland, plus parts of the South West and Yorkshire.
It comes into force at 3pm today and lasts until 3am on Friday.
In these areas, people are being warned to expect "some disruption from strong and gusty winds".
The third warning, covering almost all of England and Wales, is for both rain and wind, coming into force on Friday until 6am on Sunday.
The Met Office says people should expect "strong winds and heavy rain potentially leading to some disruption".
It also says there is a "small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur" from flying debris or large waves on the coast, while some communities may be hit by flooding.
It also said power cuts and large waves should be expected, and some roads and bridges may be closed, with falling trees posing an additional hazard.
Mike Silverstone, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "The highest accumulations of rain may occur in northern Wales and northern England, where up to 50 to 70mm of rain may fall.
"More widely, 15 to 25mm of rain is possible across the warning area.
"Gusts of up to 80mph are possible around western coasts, with 40 to 60mph gusts more widely across the warning area. Some further hill snow is possible in the north above 200m.
"Given the potential for disruption from this system, it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecast.
"National Severe Weather Warnings are likely to be updated as certainty around the unsettled weather increases."
Senior forecaster for the Met Office, Simon Partridge, said: "The main thing is unless you really need to be going out in this on Saturday, it's best to avoid it, particularly if you live in any of those areas covered by the amber wind warning."
The Environment Agency also said it is carefully monitoring the progress of the storm ahead of the weekend.
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Katharine Smith, Flood Duty Manager, said: "Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
"We urge people not to drive though flood water - it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car."
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UK 5 day weather forecast
Today
Rain clearing from southeast England and gales easing across northern Scotland, to leave plenty of dry and bright, though breezy weather for a time.
Turning wet and windy from the west and northwest from late morning into the afternoon. Mild.
Tonight
Rain clearing away to the east and southeast this evening, leaving clear periods for many overnight.
Some showers in the north and northwest. Gales affecting central parts. A patchy frost.
Friday
Mostly dry with plenty of sunshine, and winds easing for a time. A few showers continuing in the northwest.
Wet and increasingly windy weather arriving from the west later.
Saturday to Monday
Wet and very windy for many on Saturday, with severe gales possible in places. Some snow in the north.
Gradually becoming more settled during Sunday and Monday, with winds easing.
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