Summary

  • Storm Agnes has made landfall in parts of UK after bringing heavy winds and rain to much of the Republic of Ireland

  • Yellow weather warnings are in place until 07:00 on Thursday, covering Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and much of northern and south-western England

  • The strongest winds have been recorded along the south coast of Ireland, with gusts close to 110km/h (67mph) being recorded

  • The RNLI has warned of "dangerous conditions" on the coast, urging people to stay away from the water and cliff edges

  • Storm Agnes - the first named storm of the autumn and winter - is set to move north-eastwards throughout the day. The South East will remain mostly dry

  • You can follow our storm tracker by clicking the play button at the top of this page

Live Reporting

Edited by Alex Therrien

  1. In pictures: Coastal areas in Ireland lashed by gusts

    Ireland has begun to feel the affects of Storm Agnes as it barrels across the UK, with persistent rain and strong winds recorded across the country.

    Earlier, the Met Office warned that gusts of 50-60mph (80-97km/h) would hit inland areas of Northern Ireland, with winds between 60-65mph (97-105km/h) expected in some coastal areas along the Irish Sea.

    Here are some of the latest images:

    A roof blown from a building in Youghal, Co CorkPA Media

    A roof blown from a building in Youghal, Co Cork

    A man walks along Bull Wall, Dublin, as Storm Agnes continues.PA Media

    A man braced the storm along Bull Wall in Dublin

    Spray catches people walk along the Clontarf promenade, DublinPA Media

    Sea spray catches people walk along the Clontarf promenade, Dublin

    Rough seas at Clontarf boat slipway, DublinPA Media

    Rough seas at Clontarf boat slipway

  2. Storm Agnes fells trees and causes flooding in County Cork

    Eimear Flanagan
    BBC News NI

    Emergency services at the scene of a fallen tree near Blackrock in Cork on WednesdayPA Media/Niall Carson

    Emergency services at the scene of a fallen tree near Blackrock in Cork today

    Storm Agnes is already battering the southern coast of the Republic of Ireland.

    Cork County has tweeted that it has received "multiple reports of fallen trees, localised flooding and surface water across the county".

    It has advised motorists to exercise caution and warned them to avoid driving through flood water.

    The Irish Meteorological Service, Met Éireann, has issued a Status Orange wind warning for counties Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.

    An orange warning means it expects "strong and gusty southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts".

  3. How are storms named?

    After a lull in storm activity over the summer, the Met Office begins the new storm season at the beginning of September when jet streams become active.

    Will Lang heads up the Met Office team that leads the response in times of severe weather. His team come up with a list of potential storm names - and work through them, starting with the letter A.

    This year's list features "those who work to keep people safe in times of severe weather", he says. So Agnes - Agnes Mary Clerke - was an Irish astronomer and science writer.

    And Ciarán Fearon, who was the inspiration for the third name on the list, works in the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

    A table of storm names, so far, from 2023 to 2024.

  4. Stay away from water's edge - HM Coastguard

    People watch as waves crash against the shore in Portland, DorsetPA Media

    The RNLI is advising people at the coast to stay back from cliff edges and rough seas as Storm Agnes approaches.

    Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the RNLI urges people to check the weather forecast and tide times before going to the coast, and to carry a mobile phone.

    If you see someone in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard, it adds.

    HM Coastguard issued a similar warning, expressing concern that "people may underestimate the power of the sea, to their ultimate cost".

    Humber maritime rescue coordination centre commander, Bev Allen, urged people to stay away from the water’s edge in stormy weather, adding that "if you can feel the spray, you’re too close".

  5. How did Storm Agnes form?

    Ben Rich
    BBC Weather

    Storm Agnes started life on the other side of the Atlantic – as an offshoot of energy from Tropical Storm Ophelia, which affected the eastern USA over the weekend.

    This was picked up by a powerful jet stream and propelled towards our shores as a rapidly-deepening area of low pressure, which shows up clearly as a vivid spiral on the earlier satellite image. The very strongest winds occurred out at sea, south west of Ireland.

    The low pressure system will now weaken slowly as it drifts across north-eastwards, but that doesn’t mean it should be underestimated. It still has the potential to bring damaging winds, heavy rain and some significant disruption.

    Storm Agnes satellite picture.

  6. RAC warns drivers to be careful during Storm Agnes

    A van driving through floodwater in Cork, 27 September 2023PA Media

    The motoring service RAC has warned drivers to be careful on the roads, as motorists may feel some "short but sharp effects" of Storm Agnes.

    RAC Breakdown’s Rod Dennis advises less confident drivers to avoid exposed coastal and upland routes, as gusty winds are likely to be the "biggest feature" of the storm.

    "Driving more slowly with both hands on the steering wheel, and taking particular care when overtaking high-sided vehicles to avoid being buffeted is a must," he says.

    He says that anyone towing or carrying loads on the roof should also ensure they’re properly secured before setting out.

  7. Ferry passengers face disruption on NI to Scotland route

    Eimear Flanagan
    BBC News NI

    P&O ferry arrives at the Port of Larne (stock photo)PA Media/Liam McBurney

    Storm Agnes is causing disruption for some ferry passengers travelling between Northern Ireland and Scotland this afternoon.

    P&O Ferries has cancelled its 16:00 BST sailings from Larne Port in County Antrim, and Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

    Its next sailings on these routes are due to depart at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, but passengers have been advised that these also could be subject to delays.

  8. When is Storm Agnes going to hit?

    The Met Office has issued yellow severe weather warnings for wind from 12:00 BST on Wednesday through until 07:00 BST on Thursday morning for a number of areas across the UK.

    It’s likely that a swathe of strong winds with gusts of 50-60mph (80-97km/h) will affect inland areas of Northern Ireland, south-west Scotland, west and north-west Wales, Cumbria and Lancashire.

    Some Irish Sea coastal parts though could see gusts of 60-65mph (97-105km/h) with the most exposed areas up to 75mph (120km/h).

    These wind speeds have the potential to bring travel disruption, such as by forcing bridges to close or ferry services to be cancelled.

    Trees may come down and power supplies may be cut in some areas - and there’s also the potential for injury and damage to property.

  9. Storm Agnes is approaching

    Ben Rich
    BBC Weather

    Winds are now picking up in south-western parts of the UK – with a 63mph gust recorded around lunchtime at the Isles of Scilly, west of Cornwall.

    As the centre of Storm Agnes drifts north-eastwards we’re expecting the winds to strengthen more widely – particularly within the Met Office yellow warning area.

    Gusts are widely expected to reach 45-55mph, but could touch 75mph in exposed coastal areas. Those sorts of winds could bring down trees and cause disruption to roads and public transport.

    You can keep up with the hour-by-hour forecast on the BBC Weather website or app.

    Map showing weather warnings across UK during Storm Agnes.

    Areas within the Met Office yellow warning

  10. A banner graphic, inviting readers to get in touch.

    How is Storm Agnes affecting you? We want to hear from you. If it is safe to do so, get in touch.

    In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.

  11. Belfast braced for arrival of Storm Agnes

    Eimear Flanagan
    Reporting from Belfast

    Person using umbrella in Belfast ahead of Storm AgnesPacemaker

    This person braved the rain in Belfast city centre

    There has been persistent rain in many parts of Northern Ireland for the past couple of hours, but no signs of serious disruption just yet.

    The wind is picking up a little and shaking the leaves on the trees outside BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast, but so far nothing much out of the ordinary for a wet autumn day in the city.

    However, Storm Agnes is expected to move in during lunchtime, bringing disruptive winds and rain for much of the evening and overnight.

  12. Watch the latest BBC Weather forecast

    Here's Helen Willetts with the latest outlook for the next few hours:

    Storm Agnes: Watch latest BBC Weather forecast

  13. Strong gusts and heavy rain already reported in Ireland

    As we have been reporting Storm Agnes is expected to lash much of the UK this afternoon and this evening.

    But it has already brought rain and strong winds to parts of Ireland.

    Sherkin Island, off the south-west coast, recorded an average speed wind of 69kmph (44mph) with gusts of 111kmph (68mph), the Irish Met Office said just after 10:30 this morning

    And just before midday emergency services in County Cork were sent to the Youghal Strand beach front after the roof of a building was ripped off.

    As you can see below, cars in Cork have been dealing with floodwater on the roads.

    A car driving through floodwater in Cork. Wednesday, 27 SeptemberPA Media

  14. How will Storm Agnes affect the nations and regions?

    The Met Office yellow wind warning covers all of Wales, as well as Northern Ireland, Scotland and large parts of northern and western England.

    Storm Agnes is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland this lunchtime with a yellow warning for rain in place from 11:00 (BST) until 20:00.

    In Wales, ferries have been cancelled due to strong winds and forecasters warn injuries are possible during the storm.

    Forecasters said parts of north-west Wales may see gusts of up to 75 mph (120 km/h) in coastal and hilly areas.

    The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has put nine flood alerts in place and the Met Office said the strongest winds were expected to hit south west Scotland.

    The latest radar images shown the storm reaching Northern Ireland

    The latest radar images shown the storm reaching Northern Ireland

  15. Storm Agnes set to hit much of the UK

    Emily McGarvey
    Live reporter

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage as the UK braces for the impact of Storm Agnes - the first named storm of the autumn and winter season.

    The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings from Wednesday afternoon lasting until Thursday morning, with Agnes set to bring strong winds and heavy rain.

    The strongest winds are likely around Irish Sea coastal areas with gusts up to 75mph (120km/h).

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest weather updates in your area.