October 20th 2024.
In Folkestone, Kent, the promenade was being battered by the crashing waves during a period of wet and windy weather. The Met Office had issued weather warnings for wind and rain as the UK was hit by Storm Ashley. This first named storm of the season was expected to bring heavy rain and winds of up to 80mph, posing a threat of injuries and danger to life.
The warnings were in effect for the entirety of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of north-west England and Wales. The yellow warning for wind began at 3am and was set to last until midnight on Sunday. In addition, an amber warning was issued for the north-west of Scotland, in effect from 9am until midnight. The Met Office cautioned that this could result in large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts, and properties, posing a risk to life.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud explained that the strong, severe gales on Sunday were coinciding with high spring tides, which could create very large waves. The north of Scotland would remain under a yellow warning for wind until 9am on Monday. Meanwhile, in the south, the Met Office had issued a yellow warning for the south-west of England and South Wales until midday on Sunday, with the potential for travel disruption, flooding, and power outages.
Stroud also warned that the strong winds were expected to continue into Monday morning, which could cause fallen debris and trees to impact commuters at the start of the week. In light of these conditions, Police Scotland advised motorists to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel, while the Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, was cancelled for safety reasons.
Ferry operator CalMac had already cancelled many services on the west coast of Scotland for the day, and the Met Office predicted that Sunday would be a windy day, with storm-force winds in the northwest. While rain was expected to spread eastwards, there would be some sunny spells, but with gusty winds moving east during the afternoon.
Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer stated that gusts of 70-80mph could be seen in parts of western Scotland during the afternoon, while the rest of England and Wales would experience drier and brighter conditions with some sunny spells. The winds were expected to ease on Monday, but rain was set to move into the south east, while the north would remain blustery for most of the week.
According to the Environment Agency's website, there were 41 active flood warnings and 132 flood alerts in place on Sunday morning, with multiple areas along the River Severn, south Cornwall coast, and Wye Estuary being affected. Natural Resources Wales also had three flood warnings and 13 flood alerts, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 16 flood warnings and 17 alerts.
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