Storm Betty Met Office weather warnings as wind and rain batters much of UK
As Storm Betty moved across the UK, those in coastal areas were being warned to watch out for large waves and flying beach material, while travellers were being told to take extra care on the roads.
Saturday 19 August 2023 20:12, UK
Very strong winds and heavy rain were expected across the UK, as Storm Betty's arrival caused multiple weather warnings for the start of the weekend.
The storm - which arrived in the UK on Friday - is the second named storm this month, following Storm Antoni.
The warnings follow a wet and windy night, particularly around the Irish Sea, with overnight gusts of 66 miles per hour (mph) recorded in Capel Curig, Gwynedd, in Wales.
A warning for strong winds remained in force until around noon on Saturday for western parts of England and Wales as well as the eastern area of Northern Ireland.
The Met Office said there was a risk of injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
Gusts of wind were also due to cause damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.
There was also potential for power cuts and mobile phone coverage to be affected.
A weather warning for rain was also in place for Central Scotland, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, southwest Scotland, Lothian Borders and Strathclyde.
The highest rainfall totals were expected over east-facing high ground in the Angus Hills and the Grampian Mountains where between 40-60mm was predicted to accumulate.
Strong and gusty southeasterly winds were due to accompany the rain, with gusts perhaps as high as 40mph around some exposed coasts and hills in the east.
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Warnings were in force until midday on Saturday.
Around 30,000 homes in Ireland remained without power on Saturday evening after Storm Betty battered the country on Friday night.
The storm also felled trees, blocked roads and in some cases damaged vehicles.
Read more:
UK weather: The latest Sky News forecast
In Northern Ireland, the PSNI warned motorists to be aware of hazardous driving conditions.
A spokesperson said: "Police are continuing to appeal to road users to continue to exercise caution in all areas of the country, as high winds and rain can make driving conditions difficult.
"There are also reports of trees down on a number of roads.
"Motorists should continue to proceed carefully and at lower speeds, bearing in mind the impact of this weather on stopping distances and braking."
Betty is the second storm named in August. Sky News weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said it's particularly late in the year to be seeing named storms, with the naming season running from September through to August.
As for the weekend weather prospects, she said: "This weekend is the sixth unsettled one in a row, but Storm Betty will clear northwards on Saturday taking the heavy rain and strong winds with it.
"Most places will be fine and sunny this afternoon, though scattered blustery showers will affect the northwest."
Storm Betty marks the second time since storm naming was introduced in 2015 that two storms have been named in August, following Ellen and Francis in August 2020.