Storm Kathleen grounds flights as thousands without power while Met Office issues fresh warning: UK weather live

The storm, the 11th of the season and named by the Irish Meteorological Service on Thursday, rolled in with blustery conditions on Friday.

Read the full story here…

As well as strong winds, heavy downpours are set to hit parts of Wales and the south west of England this evening, the Met Office warns.

Meteorologists have advised drivers to take extra precaution due to a risk of hazards from localised flooding.

As strong downpours and gusts persist overnight, tomorrow should be drier for most with sunshine expected and warm temperatures in the south, according to the Met Office.

In the north west, temperatures will be closer to average and it will remain windy, particularly across the north west of Scotland.

Saturday has provisionally become the hottest day of the year so far with 20.9C recorded, the Met Office said.

The highest temperature was reached in Santon Downham, Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon.

Forecaster Met Eireann had warned of gale force southerly winds bringing a risk of difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, power outages and flooding along coastal areas.

Keith Leonard, national director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), urged people to stay away from all coastal areas during the Met Eireann warnings.

“Importantly, I would remind people that it is critical that they never ever touch or approach fallen wires,” he said, urging people to contact ESB Networks instead.

Around 34,000 customers have been left without electricity as Storm Kathleen continues to sweep across the island of Ireland.

The high winds also caused travel disruption, with some flights to and from Dublin and Belfast City airports cancelled.

Power outages reported on Saturday were concentrated in Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork.

A spokesman for ESB Networks said: “Crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to power outages where safe to do so.

“ESB Networks is continuing to monitor the situation as Storm Kathleen tracks across the country and weather warnings remain in place.

“With high winds forecasted into the afternoon, further outages can be expected in impacted areas.”

Edinburgh have moved their European Challenge Cup tie against Bayonne on Saturday evening to Murrayfield due to Storm Kathleen.

The round-of-16 tie was to be played at the Hive Stadium next door to Murrayfield, but the venue has been switched because of the strong winds which are set to hit Edinburgh on Saturday.

Edinburgh said their operations team and Scottish Rugby health and safety officials had been in contact with the Met Office to discuss the impact of the yellow warning for the wind. The game’s 8pm kick-off time remains unchanged.

P&O Ferries has cancelled the sailings between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland until 4pm on Saturday due to the storm.

Meanwhile Saturday evening’s EPCR Challenge Cup rugby match between Edinburgh Rugby and Aviron Bayonnais has been moved to Scottish Gas Murrayfield from Hive Stadium due to the strong winds expected.

Ms Glaisyer added: “Almost anywhere is going to see above-average temperatures. Western parts of the UK are likely to see temperatures of 15 or 16C.

“However, the further west you are, where those strongest winds are in that yellow warning area, despite the temperatures being above average it will feel a little colder.”