Storm Agnes to strike Britain TODAY after 'explosive' growth in Atlantic jet stream
Storm Agnes weather map
Met Office
Storm Agnes is set to strike the UK today bringing violent winds of up to 80mph, after the Met Office said it underwent “explosive” growth in the jet stream.
The Met Office has issued numerous weather warnings in preparation for the arrival of Agnes – the first named storm of the UK this season.
Yellow weather warnings have been in place since the weekend for today (September 27) and tomorrow (September 28).
According to a Met Office update last night, the storm underwent “explosive cyclogenesis” in the Atlantic.
WATCH NOW: Storm Agnes set to hit the UK
“This occurs when there's a rapid fall of pressure inside the centre of the low pressure and can lead to violent winds developing,” the weather service said.
The fast-approaching storm is expected to bring about commuter chaos, power outages and dangerous conditions along coastlines.
Meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “Storm Agnes is now very much intensifying quickly about 1,000 miles or so away from the south-west of England, in the Atlantic Ocean, and it's moving quickly north-eastwards towards the UK.
“We are likely to potentially see some damaging winds, the possibility of some brief power interruptions, particularly in Irish sea coastal areas.”
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Meteorologist Jim Dale described the movement of the storm: “So Northern Ireland, north-west England, west Wales, and south-west Scotland, that's where we'll probably see gusts of up to 75mph tomorrow afternoon, tomorrow evening, that's when the peak of the winds will be and then Storm Agnes will move across Scotland clearing away from Shetland through Thursday morning.”
He added: “In addition to the winds, there's going to be some large waves as well, so some big stormy seas, and therefore there might well be some coastal flooding where the waves break on to promenades and on to coastal roads.”
The storm will hit Ireland first, before hitting parts of the UK around midday.
Morgan described Storm Agnes as “more widespread” than Storm Betty - the last named storm to hit the UK.
However, he added the impact on travel will not be as widely felt.
Storm Agnes is approachingMet OfficeHowever, the effects of the storm will not last for long, and instead will be replaced by an "Indian summer".
This means that Brits can expect to bask in the heat of another mini-heatwave.
Dale said that parts of Britain could expect a 'taste of an Indian summer' as early as this weekend.
October is set to hit highs of 23C, which is warmer than typically found in the autumn months.