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'Weather bomb' storm brings disruption to northern UK 'Weather bomb' storm brings disruption to northern UK
(35 minutes later)
High winds and large waves are hitting coastal areas in the north-west of the UK, with conditions expected to worsen. Thousands of Scottish homes are without power as a "weather bomb" storm hits western coastal areas.
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). Electricity has been cut across the Western Isles, affecting 17,000 homes, and there is other disruption including train and ferry cancellations.
Some trains and ferries have been cancelled and the Western Isles are without power, affecting 17,000 homes. The Met Office has warned parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland to "be prepared" as the rapidly developing storm threatens gusts of up to 80mph.
Conditions off Scotland were "pretty bad" by 06:30 GMT, a lifeboatman said.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".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'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)."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".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.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.She said the winds would peak in the afternoon and early evening.
Power supplier SSE said the problem affecting the Western Isles was caused by lightning, and homes should be reconnected during the morning.
Western Isles Council said all schools would be closed, along with many other facilities.
In Aberdeenshire, about 20 vehicles are stuck in icy conditions on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road.
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'
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).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. There is also a less-severe yellow warning covering the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as north Wales and northern England.
The chief forecaster says there remains "some uncertainty" of the precise depth of the low and the exact wind strengths and timings. Numerous flood warnings and alerts have also been issued, mostly in Scotland.
But a second storm front is predicted to track across the country overnight on Thursday. A second storm front is expected to track across the country overnight on Thursday, the Met Office said.
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. It said there could be gales and a band of heavy rain across much of England and Wales during the first half of Friday, which could then 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.
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 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.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 hit.
Argyll and Bute, Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway could also be affected, he said. Argyll and Bute, the 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.
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