Storm Eleanor is headed to the UK with 80mph winds

Earth Nullschool

• Storm Eleanor is due to hit Britain on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Severe weather warnings are in place across the country. 
• Coastal areas are at the most risk with high winds and high waves. 
• This could lead to coastal flooding. 

Britain is set to be battered by winds of up to 80 mph as Storm Eleanor heads for the nation's shores, forecasters have warned

The fifth named storm of the season will bring "strong winds and heavy rain" to the UK on Tuesday night and Wednesday, according to the Met Office.

Several severe weather warnings have been issued across the country with disruption expected on roads and railways.

Meanwhile coastal roads and properties along Britain's western and southern coasts are vulnerable to high waves throwing beach material onto sea fronts.

Forecaster Greg Dewhurst told the Standard: "We are going to experience wet and windy weather this evening which will worsen overnight as a low pressure system moves in from the Atlantic.

"Met Éireann have named this as Storm Eleanor, and it is likely to bring very strong winds and heavy rain, first to Ireland and Northern Ireland, and then the rest of the UK through into tomorrow.

"Tomorrow the storm will move out into the North Sea but throughout the country it will be windy with some showers.

"That will be the story for the rest of the week as more low pressure systems bring unsettled weather from the west."

The Environment Agency warned earlier that strong winds and high tides could bring coastal flooding from Tuesday until Thursday.

Carol Holt, the Environment Agency's flood duty manager, said: "We urge people to stay safe on the coast — take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don't put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take 'storm selfies.'

"If you're travelling, please check your route before setting off and don't drive through flood water."

A yellow weather warning has been issued for between 6pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday for north east and west England, northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.

The warning predicts gales with gusts of 60mph to 70mph are likely while some western coastal areas have a chance of seeing gusts of up to 80mph.

Mr Dewhurst added that next weekend could bring a return of colder conditions with a risk of frost, ice and wintry conditions.

He added: "We start to see changes over the weekend; it will be drier in the west and in the east quite cloudy with a risk of some showers and snow as the weekend goes on.

"It won't be as windy but temperatures will drop over the course of the weekend."

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