Travel disruption as strong winds hit North West

1. Yellow alert for very high winds across much of the North West until 12:00 GMT on Monday
2. Gusts of at least 80mph forecast
3. People warned against non-essential travel

Thanks for joining us

Our live coverage of Storm Isha's impact on the North West has now finished.

We will leave you with this picture of the rough sea at Blackpool this morning - thanks for joining us.

For continued coverage of the wider impact of the storm on the UK, go here.

PA Media

Further yellow warning for wind issued

A further yellow weather warning for wind has been issued in the North West between 16:00 on Tuesday and 12:00 on Wednesday.

The Met Office says strong winds "are expected from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning with disruption to travel and utilities possible".

The warning covers all but the southern most part of Cheshire in the North West and extends across the North of England and into Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Electricity North West 'waiting for the weather to calm'

Electricity North West's people and corporate services director Rachael Parr told BBC Radio Lancashire at the height of the storm on Sunday, more than 40,000 customers were affected.

"We are ready and raring to get out as soon as it's safe to do so to restore power to 8,000 customers still affected," she said.

"We have faults in Waddington, Clitheroe, Scarisbrick and some in Preston.

"We're just waiting for the weather to calm down before we can get our people out."

Could this be a record year for storms?

BBC News UK

The Met Office began the practice of naming storms affecting the UK in the 2015-16 period.

That was the same year in which a record number of named storms was set. Storm Katie became the 11th and final storm of that season.

But if there are three more named storms between now and next August, this year will mark a new record.

Storm Isha is the ninth named storm since September and follows Storm Henk, which hit the UK earlier this month, causing flooding and disruption.

You can read more about how storms get their names here.

Avanti West Coast says Storm Isha may lead to changes to services

Ryanair passengers on Manchester to Dublin flight diverted to France

BBC Breakfast

A group of passengers from Manchester are among the tens of thousands of people who are waking up this morning somewhere they didn't expect to be.

Many of those were on flights that were cancelled due to Storm Isha, but there were also tales of "extraordinary diversions", travel expert Simon Calder told BBC Breakfast.

One Ryanair flight, making the short hop from Manchester to Dublin, was unable to land and eventually diverted to Beauvais, a small town in northern France.

Calder says the airline "insists all passengers crossing the Irish Sea have passports, even though the law doesn't.

"Therefore, they were allowed to get out of the airport and into hotels."

Dangerous conditions cause delay to reconnecting power

Sharon Barbour

Reporting from Blackpool

I’m on the promenade in Blackpool. The sea is about 100 metres away, but you can hear it roaring – it’s pretty rough.

Here in north-west England, about 8,000 homes are still without power.

Earlier, we heard that the people who were meant to be doing the repairs had been called off the job because conditions were too dangerous.

Electricity North West stood them down, and say the time to restore the power won’t be till about 17:00 tomorrow night.

Tree blocking road in Sabden

Whalley Road in Sabden is closed in both directions from the junction of Whins Avenue to The Whins, due to a fallen tree.

Police are advising people to find alternative routes.

Contact us

If it is safe and legal for you to do so, please send us your video and images of the effects of Storm Isha.

You can email us at [e-mail].

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.

Sea 'still very rough' in Blackpool

BBC Breakfast

What is a yellow weather warning for wind?

A yellow warning for wind has been issued by the Met Office for the North West, which runs until midday.

That means that strong winds associated with Storm Isha are likely to bring some disruption to travel and utilities.

It also means:

• Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible
• Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen
• Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible
• Some roads and bridges may close
• Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

For more information, see the Met Office Weather Warnings Guide.

Railways 'mainly OK this morning'

Network Rail's director of operations in the North West says it was "a very busy night last night", but everything is "mainly OK this morning".

Giving an update on BBC Radio Lancashire, Paul Owen said there were "lots of trees on the tracks across Lancashire, but on the main trains are up and running this morning".

"We've still got the West Coast Main Line closed between Preston and Carlisle, although we are hoping that will be reopened in the next 30 minutes.

"So lots of disruption last night but teams have been working really hard overnight clearing tracks, clearing trees and everything's mainly OK this morning."

Delays expected as Woodhead Pass closed to some vehicles

National Highways says the A628 (Woodhead Pass), which connects Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire, remains closed to high sided and vulnerable vehicles in both directions between the A616 (Flouch) and the A57 (Hollingworth) due to strong winds.

Road users are advised to use the M60, M62 and M1 as an alternative route and allow extra time for their journey.

Ferry between Isle of Man and Lancashire cancelled

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled the Manxman ferry's 08:45 sailing from Douglas to Heysham in Lancashire due to the weather.

As a result, the return journey, which was due to depart at 13:45, has also been cancelled.

The ferry's later sailing at 19:45 remains scheduled to leave on time, but the firm has advised people to check before travelling, as the weather could mean it also faces disruption or cancellation.

Gusts start to ease as Storm Isha moves north

BBC Weather

Electricity North West working to restore power

About 8,000 homes and businesses lost power yesterday and Electricity North West says it will do all it can to get those affected "back on as quickly and safely as possible".

Electricity North West

Customer director Stephanie Trubshaw says while it can be "worrying when storms hit and impact your home or business... our teams are ready to respond wherever we are needed".

"During the high winds it’s unsafe for our colleagues to carry out repairs at height, so it is likely to may take longer than usual to restore and repair the network," he adds.

Amber weather warning replaced by yellow

A Met Office warning for strong winds remains in place until midday.

Gusts of 50-60mph are forecast inland, while in exposed coastal stretches, gusts could reach 70-80mph.

The yellow warning means there could be continued disruption to travel and power supplies.

If you can't avoid the roads: some tips for safer driving

Drivers have been warned to stay safe on the roads amid possible gusts of up to 90mph.

Here some tips for driving in high winds:

• Stick to main roads if possible, meaning you're less likely to be exposed to fallen debris

• Grip your steering wheel tightly with both hands

• Keep enough room either side of your vehicle so you can factor in it being blown sideways

• Be aware of gaps between trees, buildings or bridges where you are more likely to be exposed to side winds

Rail passengers warned to delay travel

Rail operator TransPennine Express has advised customers to wait until at least midday before travelling between Preston and Scotland.

Fallen tree blocking road in Balderstone

Ribble Valley Police have advised Jacksons Bank Road, Balderstone, Blackburn, is currently closed due to a fallen tree blocking the road.

Drivers are advised to find an alternative route.