The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for parts of the UK as Storm Darragh approaches, bringing gusts up to 80mph and heavy rain. The warning is in effect Saturday from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. for areas along the west coast, from South Ayrshire to Cornwall, and in Northern Ireland.

Flying debris, power cuts, and large waves are anticipated, with road closures and falling trees posing additional hazards. Senior forecaster Simon Partridge urged the public to avoid outdoor activities in affected areas, emphasizing “very dangerous” conditions near coastal regions.

A yellow warning for wind and rain is also in place Thursday and Friday across parts of Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England, extending to the northeast and south of England by Friday.

Storm Darragh’s impact is fueled by low-pressure systems propelled by the jet stream, which is currently experiencing speeds of over 240mph due to cold air from North America.

The fourth named storm of the season follows recent devastation from Storm Bert, which caused significant flooding in south Wales and southwest England. Experts link increasing extreme weather events to human-caused climate change, exacerbating risks in vulnerable areas.