UK weather: Storm Hannah leaves thousands without power amid 80mph winds, heavy rain and plunging temperatures

Storm Hannah has hit the UK with winds of over 80mph. The Met Office said the highest gust of 82mph was clocked at Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula of North Wales.

A gust of 78mph was recorded at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire, while a 64mph gust was observed at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.

The storm left thousands of homes without electricity overnight as it  battered Ireland before bands of heavy rain and strong gusts moved to England and Wales on Saturday.

The latest storm will result in cooler conditions across the UK, with temperatures expected to plunge more than 10 degrees in some parts.

The Met Office said temperatures would drop into the low teens, slightly below the average for the time of year.

However, conditions are set to improve by Sunday, a good sign for those taking part in this year's London Marathon.

ESB Networks said on Friday night that winds had caused damage to the electricity network affecting approximately 10,000 homes, farms and businesses, predominantly in Irish counties Kerry and Cork.

With the storm continuing to track across other counties, further damage to the network can be expected, the company added.

Highs of just 12C or 13C will be in stark contrast to the balmy weekend just passed, which saw highs of 25C recorded in London and the warmest Easter Monday on record in the UK and Ireland.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "When you add on the strength of the wind and the rain it will feel colder."

The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place for the south west of the country from Friday night until Saturday afternoon.

Storm Hannah is expected to clear the UK by Sunday, meaning decent weather for those taking part in the London Marathon, and more settled conditions are forecast to return next week.

Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders said: "We're going to see an unsettled period over the next few days, but the forecast for later next week indicates the return of high pressure, bringing more settled conditions.

"Storm Hannah will move away from the UK during Saturday followed by a transient ridge of high pressure bringing more settled weather to the UK for Sunday, good news for London Marathon runners."