UPDATE: ‘Storm Ellen’ to batter NI with 75mph winds | disruption to travel and power supplies | heavy rain

The weather warning for wind is now a storm warning - and it has been called Storm Ellen.

The weather warning is now in place between midnight and 8am on Thursday.

In the warning the Met Office say: “Storm Ellen is expected to bring a spell of very strong winds to Northern Ireland during Thursday morning”.

It advises that people should expect:

Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen

Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible

Some roads and bridges may close

Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

Damage to trees with debris on roads are likely given the time of year”.

In the warning the Met Office say: “A spell of strong southerly winds are expected to develop on Wednesday night across southwest England and move north across western parts of Wales, southwest Scotland and all of Northern Ireland during the early hours of Thursday.

“Although there is some uncertainty in the track of the low, gusts of 65 mph are possible inland, with 70 mph or more possible around coasts and hills.

“Whilst winds may temporarily ease during Thursday morning, a band of heavy rain is likely to move east during Thursday afternoon and evening accompanied by some locally squally winds”.

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