Storm Brian to batter London and UK with strong winds and heavy rain

Storm Brian is expected to bring gale-force winds and heavy rain to London and the UK just days after Storm Ophelia wreaked havoc.

Heavy rain and gusts of 50mph, caused by a “weather bomb” which is travelling over the Atlantic, are expected to hit the capital early on Saturday morning.

The storm has been named by Met Éireann, the Irish Met Office, as it put out an orange weather warning, with Ireland once again expected to get the worst of the conditions from Friday evening.

A yellow weather warning for wind, valid from 4am to midnight on Saturday, is in place for London and vast swathes of southern England and Wales, while winds could reach 70mph in exposed areas.

Winds could reach 70mph in exposed areas, which could cause coastal flooding, the Met Office said.

Spokesman Grahame Madge said: "Dramatic waves could pose a threat to life and there will be quite hazardous conditions along the seafront."

He warned thrill seekers not to risk their safety by posing for "storm selfies" along the coast.

Wide parts of the country could see between 15mm and 25mm of rainfall, with deluges of up to 60mm in isolated areas.

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples told the Standard: “So we are looking at this deep area of low pressure that is moving through the Atlantic at the moment.

“It’s deepening quite rapidly. Strong winds will start to pick up in the west tomorrow evening.

"In the UK the strongest winds will be in the south. Inland we will see gusts of 50 to 60mph. Coastal areas could get as much as 70mph.

"Wind and bursts of rain will be coming through in the London area on Saturday morning and as we head through the second part of Saturday winds will ease down."