A danger to life Warning has been issued as Storm Antoni hits parts of the UK, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
An amber weather warning for winds breaking 70 mph has been issued by the Met Office in areas of southwest Wales and southwest England between 11am and 7pm.
The warning level indicates flying debris is possible and could lead to injuries or danger to life – and it is in place for southwestern areas of both England and Wales until 7pm.
The first storm that has been serious enough to be named since February last year – Brits must prepare themselves for the heaviest battering in more than a rain as clouds sweep from west to east.
Falling trees, riptides and inadequate building structures are some of the dangers people should look out for on Saturday during the amber wind warning, the Met Office said.
Some roads and bridges are likely to close, the Met Office warning says, and ‘there is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage’.
People are in Brighton for the UK’s biggest pride event have been battered by the storm along the seafront
Further down the coast in Porthleven, Cornwall, rolling waves batters the coastal town
A woman’s umbrella is not working quite as hoped as she lugs her bags across Westminster Bridge in central London
The first storm to be named this season – heavy rain is expected to batter the nation as clouds sweep from west to east
Some roads and bridges are likely to close, and the Met Office have warned of power cuts and mobile phone outages
An amber weather warning for winds breaking 60mph has been issued by the Met Office in areas of southwest Wales and southwest England between 11am and 7pm
Meanwhile a yellow warning for ‘unseasonably windy weather’ is in place for southern parts of the UK until 8pm and a yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued until 10pm for south east England and East Anglia.
The Met Office warned of ‘injuries and danger to life’ from ‘flying debris’ and ‘large waves and beach material’ being thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads and homes.
There could be damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs – while those travelling by road, rail, air and ferry services could face disruption and cancellations.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said the storm, which is the first to be named by the Met Office this season, could see winds of up to 70mph on the coast and 60mph inland.
He said: ‘Storm Antoni is now tracking east into the Irish Sea and will continue to move east across England and Wales.
‘With it being the holiday season and it being a Saturday there will be plenty of local events going on, (Storm Antoni) wouldn’t necessarily bring the same level of impact if it was in the winter.
‘For August this is very unusual.
‘Effectively the trees are in full leaf so are more susceptible to strong winds.
‘Building structures, trees and temporary structures such as marquees may not well be too adequate.
The dramatic weather in Brighton has not dampened spirits as people brave the wind in dramatic costumes
Others grin in dressed-up umbrellas as they try to shelter their costumes for the grand parade
Ponchos are the order of the day as celebrants make sure the furious weather does not ruin their time
Two carry bravely carry their flags through the rain and wind to the parade as they get ready to march
And others make sure their weather-gear is on brand – with rainbow crocs and a glamorous umbrella
The march got underway despite marchers looking sodden – as attendees braved the soggy conditions to take part in the city’s Pride celebrations
‘Beach debris could be thrown from waves onto coastal roads, there’s a risk of dangerous tides, riptides and power cuts.
‘Most travel disruption will be from (fallen) trees and branches.’
In Brighton, crowds have braved the wild weather to celebrate the coastal city’s Pride event – the biggest of its kind in the UK.
With a line-up including Steps and Melanie C, dedicated attendants in elaborate outfits are pushing through the elements to celebrate the event.
The RAC’s Rod Dennis warned: ‘We expect Saturday to be the worst day on the roads of the summer so far, especially for anyone in the south-west of England – and that’s a lot of people as our research shows it’s the most popular part of the country for leisure trips by car this year.
‘Conditions will be atrocious with a wholly unpleasant mix of very strong winds and locally intense rainfall. The best advice is to slow down significantly to stay safe and avoid exposed moorland and coastal routes until the storm passes.
Some Brighton celebrants took no risks when they dressed for the weather – as one hides within their poncho
One man’s outfit was not built for the weather – as he battles to stop his rainbow wings taking flight in the wind
