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UK braced for Atlantic 'weather bomb' storm and high waves 'Weather bomb' storm brings disruption to northern UK
(about 2 hours later)
Severe gales and "exceptionally high" waves are expected to hit coastal areas in the north west of the UK later. High winds and large waves are hitting coastal areas in the north-west of the UK, with conditions expected to worsen.
The Met Office says western and northern Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland should be prepared for "dangerous conditions" during the day. The Met Office says parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland should "be prepared" as a rapidly developing storm - a so-called weather bomb - threatens gusts of up to 80mph (130 km/h).
Train and ferries have been cancelled as a rapidly-developing Atlantic storm - a so-called weather bomb - threatens gusts of up to 80 mph (130 km/h). Some trains and ferries have been cancelled and the Western Isles are without power, affecting 17,000 homes.
A yellow "be aware" warning is in place for northern England and north Wales. Conditions off Scotland were "pretty bad" by 06:30 GMT, a lifeboatman said.
Speaking from Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Donald MacLeod, coxswain of the island's lifeboat, said there was rain, hail and "plenty of wind".
'Wild' weather
He said the storm had "grown through the night", adding: "The swell conditions are pretty bad to the west - it's showing about 14m (45ft)."
Mr Macleod said this was "a lot deeper than we normally see" and was "definitely something to be wary of".
BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said it would be a "wild" day from north Wales northwards, while it would be "blustery" further south.
She said the winds would peak in the afternoon and early evening.
Ahead of the forecast storms, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of severe disruption to its services.Ahead of the forecast storms, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of severe disruption to its services.
In other developments:In other developments:
'Some uncertainty''Some uncertainty'
The rapid cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is a deep low pressure system moving slowly eastwards between Iceland and Scotland. Explosive cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is when a storm intensifies as the pressure at its centre drops rapidly (by more than 24 millibars in 24 hours).
The Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning is in effect for the Northern Isles, Western Isles - where all schools and nurseries will be closed - the north and west Highlands and Argyll, as well as the far north of Northern Ireland.The Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning is in effect for the Northern Isles, Western Isles - where all schools and nurseries will be closed - the north and west Highlands and Argyll, as well as the far north of Northern Ireland.
Its chief forecaster says very strong winds, with gusts possibly reaching between 60 and 70 mph, are also likely to affect northern and central parts of the UK until early on Thursday.Its chief forecaster says very strong winds, with gusts possibly reaching between 60 and 70 mph, are also likely to affect northern and central parts of the UK until early on Thursday.
The chief forecaster says there remains "some uncertainty" of the precise depth of the low and the exact wind strengths and timings.The chief forecaster says there remains "some uncertainty" of the precise depth of the low and the exact wind strengths and timings.
But a second storm front is predicted to track across the country overnight on Thursday.But a second storm front is predicted to track across the country overnight on Thursday.
The Met Office says there is the potential for more gales and a band of heavy rain across much of England and Wales during the first half of Friday, which will push eastwards, before easing in the early afternoon.The Met Office says there is the potential for more gales and a band of heavy rain across much of England and Wales during the first half of Friday, which will push eastwards, before easing in the early afternoon.
A yellow warning for snow in for parts of central and southern Scotland is also in place for Friday morning.A yellow warning for snow in for parts of central and southern Scotland is also in place for Friday morning.
Weather informationWeather information
From the BBC:From the BBC:
Elsewhere:Elsewhere:
Network Rail said the services already cancelled in Scotland were those most likely to be exposed to the predicted winds and high tides expected later.Network Rail said the services already cancelled in Scotland were those most likely to be exposed to the predicted winds and high tides expected later.
They are the Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick, Ayr-Stranraer, Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs and Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central. The Glasgow Queen St-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig, including the Caledonian Sleeper is also affected. They are the services between Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick, Ayr-Stranraer, Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs and Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central. The Glasgow Queen St-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig line, including the Caledonian Sleeper is also affected.
The company said replacement bus services would be considered, but these were dependent on road conditions.The company said replacement bus services would be considered, but these were dependent on road conditions.
A CalMac ferry spokesman said severe weather along the west coast on Tuesday had caused "extensive disruption" to its services, with further cancellations expected.A CalMac ferry spokesman said severe weather along the west coast on Tuesday had caused "extensive disruption" to its services, with further cancellations expected.
Richard Brown, of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland were at the greatest risk of coastal flooding as the storm front hits.Richard Brown, of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland were at the greatest risk of coastal flooding as the storm front hits.
Argyll and Bute, Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway could also be affected, he said.Argyll and Bute, Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway could also be affected, he said.
In Wales on Tuesday night, high winds saw speed restrictions imposed on the A55 Britannia Bridge onto Anglesey on Tuesday, and in Pembrokeshire, the A477 Cleddau Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles.In Wales on Tuesday night, high winds saw speed restrictions imposed on the A55 Britannia Bridge onto Anglesey on Tuesday, and in Pembrokeshire, the A477 Cleddau Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles.
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