Storm Ashley brings journey chaos to Britain as flights cancelled

Storm Ashley has wreaked havoc across the UK and Ireland today, with 80mph winds cancelling dozens of flights and heavy flooding blocking off major roads.

The first named storm of the season is lashing Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and north west England today, as the Met Office issues danger to life alerts.

The Met Office issued weather alerts and dozens of flood warnings this week with an amber warning for the north-west of Scotland and a yellow weather warning for the whole country from 3am on Sunday until noon on Monday.

Flights have been cancelled at both Belfast City Airport and Dublin Airport as gusts of up to 70mph are predicted. Astonishing footage shows planes struggling to land in Dublin, with pilots having to take back off and try again.

In a passenger update posted on X, formerly Twitter, Dublin Airport said weather conditions had led to some airlines, including Aer Lingus, cancelling flights.

The stormy conditions have also seen ferry services in Scotland and Northern Ireland cancelled, while there are also warnings that trains could be affected too. 

Meanwhile Stenaline and P&O sailings between Northern Ireland and Scotland are heavily affected, with most sailings on Sunday cancelled.

Translink is also warning of possible disruption to the rail network on Sunday, due to the weather conditions.

Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure said temporary tidal flood defences were being deployed along the River Lagan at high-risk areas such as Lockview Road and Cutters Warf in south Belfast.

An amber warning for the north-west of Scotland has been issued from 9am until midnight, with the weather service warning ‘injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties’.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said ‘very strong, severe gales’ on Sunday coincide with high spring tides, which could also result in ‘very large waves’.

The north of Scotland will remain under a yellow warning for wind from midnight until 9am on Monday.

Further south, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the south-west of England and South Wales until midday on Sunday with a threat of disruption to travel with flooding and possible interruptions to power supplies.

Mr Stroud said strong, gale force winds are due to continue through to Monday morning, meaning ‘fallen debris and trees’ could affect commuters at the start of the week.

Road users in Scotland have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel where possible, while Sunday’s annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been cancelled because of weather-related safety concerns.

Police Scotland have advised motorists to ‘plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible’ ahead of the ‘strong likelihood’ of disruption on roads, while Transport Scotland has warned of likely delays to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: ‘Make sure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is completely roadworthy, with tyre pressure and tread meeting legal requirements.

‘Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in the event you need to call for assistance and if it is likely you may be within your vehicle for long periods of time, take additional clothing and water with you.’

 In some parts of the UK weekend plans have been thrown into disarray as travel services are limited and open spaces closed.

And Dublin airport have been forced to cancel ‘a small number of flights’ this morning and say passengers seeking updates on a specific flight should contact that airline directly.

Scot Rail said services will be subject to ‘precautionary speed restrictions’ from 4pm on Sunday until Monday morning for services in the west and north Highlands, Ayrshire and Stranraer. The same restrictions will be introduced between Perth and Inverness from 6pm.

The same restrictions will be introduced between Perth and Inverness from 6pm.

The company warned that services on Monday morning could be affected by trees and debris on the track and asked customers to check their services before travelling.

Ferry operator CalMac said many of its services on the west coast of Scotland had been cancelled for the day on Sunday with several others liable to be disrupted.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have shut parks and open spaces stating they will only be re-opened after ‘necessary site inspections’. 

Today’ss annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been cancelled because of weather-related safety concerns.

And, the Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry, Perthshire – an autumnal attraction aimed at families where the forest is turned into a light show – also announced it would be cancelled on Sunday, stressing the safety of attendees and staff was ‘of the utmost importance’.

The Met Office said Sunday will be a ‘widely windy day’ with storm-force wins in the north-west.

Rain will spread eastwards ahead of sunny spells, but with gusty winds moving east during the afternoon.

Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said: ‘Parts of western Scotland could see gusts of 70-80mph during the afternoon. It will turn drier and brighter across much of England and Wales with some sunny spells during the afternoon.’

Winds are expected to ease on Monday with rain moving into the south east. The north is expected to remaining blustery for much of the week.

The Environment Agency’s website listed 41 active flood warnings on Sunday morning, meaning flooding is expected, and 132 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

The warnings include multiple areas of the River Severn, the south Cornwall coast and the Wye Estuary.

Natural Resources Wales said there are three flood warnings and 13 flood alerts in place, while 16 flood warnings have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency along with 17 alerts.

Dramatic footage of the storm is already starting to emerge on social media including clips of monster waves in Sennen, Cornwall and choppy waters on the ‘usually calm’ Loch Indaal, Scotland. 

Shocking photos taken today show parts of Worcester completely underwater –  with spectator stands at Worcester County Cricket Club’ half-submerged.

Some parked cars could be seen swamped up to their wingmirrors while streets were also flooded near to the the iconic Worcester Cathedral. 

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: ‘River levels are rising at the Worcester (Barbourne) river gauge as a result of recent heavy rainfall.

‘Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected this morning (Sun).

‘Further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours. We expect river levels to remain high over the next few days.

‘We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are liaising with emergency services and local authorities.

‘Please move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety.’