AN amber warning has been issued by the Met Office for most of the UK including Wiltshire, as Storm Isha is set to hit this evening.
A yellow warning is already in place for rain from 12pm today, 21st January, to 12pm on Monday 22nd January, but this morning an amber warning was added for wind - amber meaning potential risk to life.
Forecasters are saying this is a 'rare weather cycle' as winds of up to 80mph are due to swoop in later today, potentially causing power cuts and loss of mobile phone signal, while roads and bridges are likely to be shut and transport services could face delays and cancellations in some areas.
Storm Isha is the ninth named storm to hit the UK since the season began in September. Each storm is named when it poses a risk to people and they are given names beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet.
Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri, said: “Storm Isha will bring strong winds to the whole of the UK through Sunday and into Monday. The areas of particular concern are reflected by a large Amber severe weather warning which covers Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, Wales, much of northern England as well as southwestern parts of England.
“In these regions we could see gusts frequently between 50-60mph and even up to 80mph in exposed coastal locations. As the storm starts to move away on Monday morning very strong winds will also develop in the far southeast of England, bringing the risk of 70-80mph gusts here too in the early hours of Monday morning."
Wiltshire Council have said: "High winds are forecast in the county this afternoon. To help keep you safe, please secure loose items in your garden such as trampolines and furniture covers.
