Storm Ashley to batter the UK with 80mph winds and here's when and where it will hit

Storm Ashley is the first named storm of the season and could bring destructive winds on Sunday

A deep area of low pressure, which will bring impacts to the Republic of Ireland and parts of the UK, on Sunday and Monday has been named by Met Éireann – the Irish met service. Storm Ashley will impact the Republic of Ireland first and has therefore been named by and Met Éireann.

Temperatures will remain above average for the time of year but there could be gusts of 80mph as high winds batter the country. You can see the weather maps for Wales here.

The highest gusts could hit north-west Scotland and 'injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties', the Met Office has said.

READ MORE: Storm Ashley: First named storm of the season set to batter Wales as Met Office issues warning

Here is everything we know about the storm:

Forecast for Saturday

Saturday will be the best day of the weekend and the Met Office says it will be "largely fine". The forecasting agency's Wales outlook for today says: "Any fog patches clearing to leave an increasingly sunny skies this morning. Patchy cloud at times this afternoon with sunny periods and perhaps the odd shower. Feeling mild in the sunshine and the light westerly breeze. Maximum temperature 15 °C."

It adds for this evening: "Clear skies to begin this evening but soon turning cloudy overnight with rain spreading east, this heavy at times later. Becoming windy with coastal gales possible by the morning. Minimum temperature 8 °C."

BBC forecaster Louise Lear says that all that will change as we going through Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Storm Ashley reaches UK on Sunday

Clouds will thicken and wind will strengthen in the early hours of Sunday, and outbreaks of rain will hit Northern Ireland and the west of the UK. That rain will be heavy at times and accompanied by gales as the strong winds start.

Western parts of the UK could wake up to 50mph to 60mph winds and heavy rain that day, particularly affecting exposed coasts and hills. Sunday's strongest winds will sweep exposed parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with 70mph gusts likely.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wisson, 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, Northwest England and west Wales.

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

Wind warning for Wales

There is a yellow warning for winds for western and coastal parts of Wales on Sunday. It is in place from 3am on Sunday until midnight. The areas covered in Wales are Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Pembrokeshire.

The warning says: "Storm Ashley will bring a windy period across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, and there is an increased chance of disruption across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northwest England and northwest Wales.

"Initially a period of strong south to southeasterly winds will likely develop through Sunday morning, with gusts of 50-60 mph possible in some inland areas, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70 mph along exposed coasts and hills. Winds will then turn southwesterly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening across western Scotland where gusts could potentially reach 70-80 mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55-65 mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides and large waves may cause some disruption."

Amber warning issued

There is also an amber warning for wind for parts of Scotland. The amber warning will be in force from 9am on Sunday until midnight.

it says: Storm Ashley will bring a period of strong winds to much of the west of Scotland on Sunday and into Monday, with strongest winds expected within the Amber warning area. Parts of western Scotland are likely to see gusts of 70-80 mph at times on Sunday afternoon, before winds ease through the evening and overnight. The winds coincide with high spring tides and large waves which may lead to a greater risk of disruption along coasts."

Looking further ahead

The Met Office says winds will ease as Storm Ashley pulls away to the east on Monday leaving a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers for many. Next week remains unsettled for many with some longer spells of rain in places.