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Storm Evert: First named summer storm of 2021 to hit UK tonight

The first named summer storm of the year will hit the UK tonight.

It is set to bring "unseasonably strong winds and heavy rain to southern parts of the UK later today and into Friday", the Met Office said.

With severe gales and winds of up to 75mph likely, the Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" wind warning for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 9pm tonight to 7am Friday.

Named by forecasters as Storm Evert - it is the fourth named summer storm, following in the footsteps of Francis and Ellen in 2020, and Hector in 2018.

It will approach south-western parts of the UK and Ireland through today, with spells of rain for southern Ireland and the south-west of Wales and England this afternoon amid strengthening winds.

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Air pressure is forecast to dip from 1010mb to 997mb in some parts of eastern England. In general, low pressure leads to unsettled weather and high pressure leads to settled conditions.

Met Office principal operational meteorologist Dan Suri said the storm "brings the potential for some impacts, especially for those that might be travelling or camping in the weather".

National Rail has warned of potential disruption to train journeys across south-west England, while the RAC has warned of hazardous driving conditions, particularly for those towing caravans and trailers.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Storm Evert will move eastwards into tonight and as it engulfs more of the south and west of the UK, winds will strengthen further.

"Severe gales are likely for parts of the Cornish coastline, as well as the Isles of Scilly where the Met Office has issued an amber 'be prepared' wind warning. There will also be strong to gale force winds likely across many southern and south-western coasts of England and Wales.

"Tomorrow will still be very windy for many southern and western parts of the UK, and there will be spells of rain or showers, locally heavy, moving eastwards over most of England and Wales.

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"Some thunderstorms are likely for parts of the Midlands, East Anglia and northern England.

"Eventually, Storm Evert will clear away to the east, allowing for calmer conditions later in the day as winds will ease from the west."

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