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Storm Hannah sweeps into the UK bringing winds of up to 82mph

High winds and heavy rain have battered parts of the country as Storm Hannah swept into the UK.

Homes across Ireland and Wales were left without power and travel disruption was also expected as winds were expected to continue through Saturday.

Just a week after Britain basked in scorching weather, instead Ireland was battered by 82mph gales and heavy rain.

A yellow wind warning covering Wales and central and southern England is in force until 3pm while Northern Ireland is covered by a yellow rain warning, with the flooding of some homes and businesses "likely".

Storm Hannah caused disruption as winds of up to 82mph took out power lines and blocked roads (Picture: SWNS)
Storm Hannah caused disruption as winds of up to 82mph took out power lines and blocked roads (Picture: SWNS)

Western Power Distribution said more than 1,700 properties - the majority in Wales - had been left without power on its network on Saturday morning.

Transport for Wales said storm damage on the Conwy Valley line meant buses were replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

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The highest winds were recorded on the Llyn Peninsula, where a gust of 82mph was clocked at Aberdaron, while a gust of 78mph was recorded at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire and 64mph at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.

Forecasters said the highest winds were expected in exposed coastal areas, although gusts could reach up to 50mph as the storm moves inland.

Wet and windy conditions were set to continue through Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach 9C (48F) and 12C (53F) - much lower than the 26C (79F) seen over the Easter weekend.

Western parts could also see frost on Saturday night under clearer skies in Storm Hannah's wake.

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "We are seeing quite hefty bursts of rain moving across Northern Ireland and into Wales, with elsewhere a bit more showery in nature.

"There are also quite lively gusts of wind, certainly for the UK, between 70 to 80mph and the highest at Aberdaron of 82mph at around midnight.

"The winds will pick up through the morning across the rest of southern England as the low tracks its way eastwards.

"The most persistent rain will be across Northern Ireland and Wales, with some showery outbreaks across parts of northern England as well."

A kite surfer enjoys the strong winds on West Wittering beach in West Sussex. Storm Hannah is set to bring strong winds and much cooler conditions to the UK, with temperatures expected to plunge more than 10 degrees in some parts.
Storm Hannah brought high winds of up to 82mph in parts of the country (Picture: PA)

Named by Irish weather service Met Eireann, Storm Hannah brought several weather warnings, including a red warning of "violent gusts".

The highest recorded were 76mph at Mace Head in Galway, while gusts reached 74mph at Shannon Airport.

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