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Weather warnings as Storm Bronagh set to batter parts of the UK and Ireland this evening

<em>Storm Bronagh is set to bring gusty winds and downpours overnight (Getty/file pic)</em>
Storm Bronagh is set to bring gusty winds and downpours overnight (Getty/file pic)

Parts of the UK and Ireland are set to be battered by the second named storm of the season, just one day after two people were killed during Storm Ali.

The Met Office and Met Eireann have warned that Storm Bronagh could result in a danger to life and damage to buildings as it lashes the country overnight.

The weather warnings come a day after Swiss holidaymaker Elvira Ferraii was killed when the caravan she was in was blown down a rocky incline in County Galway, while a worker in a forest park in County Armagh died after he was hit by a tree.

<em>Drivers have been warned of treacherous conditions on the roads (PA)</em>
Drivers have been warned of treacherous conditions on the roads (PA)

Storm Bronagh is expected to develop across parts of Wales and south-west England on Thursday evening, before spreading further eastwards across England.

Heavy rain is expected throughout Thursday, with a yellow weather warning in place for rain in Wales and parts of north-west England and a yellow wind warning in place for much of England and parts of Wales later in the day.

The storm is expected to bring gale force winds through the evening and overnight into Friday, with wind gusts of 45-50mph predicted around exposed coasts and at some spots inland, as well as the possibility of some gusts of up to 65mph.

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Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: ‘Although the strongest winds are expected to occur as Storm Bronagh moves offshore into the North Sea, there is a low likelihood of damaging winds in places through this evening and overnight with possible impacts to people travelling in England and Wales.

‘However, the strongest winds are most likely along the north east coast of England in the early hours of the morning.’

Highways England’s head of road safety Richard Leonard warned drivers about driving while the storm is at its strongest.

<em>The storm is set to affect parts of the UK and Ireland (PA)</em>
The storm is set to affect parts of the UK and Ireland (PA)

He said: ‘We’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys. If you do intend to travel, then plan your journey and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey.

‘In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.

Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes plenty of space.’

<em>Cars have already had to travel through heavy rain on the M5 near Worcester (PA)</em>
Cars have already had to travel through heavy rain on the M5 near Worcester (PA)
<em>Wind and rain will lash the roads tonight (PA)</em>
Wind and rain will lash the roads tonight (PA)

On Wednesday, a wind gust of 91mph was recorded in County Down, Northern Ireland, the strongest wind gust in September In Northern Ireland since records began.

The unsettled weather is set to continue with another weather system forecast to bring more wind and rain across parts of the UK on Sunday and into Monday.