Storm Isha maps show where amber weather warnings will hit UK hardest

Watch: Storm Isha to batter whole of UK with wind and rain in 'rare' weather cycle

A tornado could hit the UK during Storm Isha, which is set to lash the country with winds of up to 90mph, prompting amber "danger to life" weather warnings for most of the UK.

Multiple weather warnings, including two amber wind alerts, were put in place by the Met Office across the country for Sunday, while a “tornado watch” zone was issued for Northern Ireland, as well as parts of Scotland and northern England by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) on Sunday afternoon. It means a “strong tornado” is possible in those regions.

The amber warnings are in place for most of the UK from 6pm Sunday to Monday morning, with a "good chance" of power cuts, tiles being blown off roofs, and lives potentially being put at risk from large waves, flying debris and tumbling trees. Winds of 70mph should be expected inland, compared to 80mph on coastal regions. In parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland winds could reach 90mph.

Meanwhile, Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna told the PA news agency: "There is a potential that we could see the odd isolated tornado largely tied in with the squally cold front mainly in western parts of the UK on Sunday evening. They can cause some significant damage but often on a very localised scale, they often don’t tend to last very long."

A less-serious yellow wind warning also covers the UK, including parts of London and the south-east, while four yellow rain alerts were in place around the country, with nearly four inches of rain predicted to fall in a few hours in some regions.

Weather near you

This Met Office map shows the UK weather warnings in place on Sunday and Monday morning.

During a wet and windy weekend across northern England, the heaviest downpours are still expected to be during Sunday as 30mm to 50mm could fall in many places. There is potential for peaks of 80mm to 100mm over hills.

The following maps, also from the Met Office, show where rainfall will be heaviest during Storm Isha.

Sunday, 3pm

Sunday, 6pm

Monday, 9am

Conditions are expected to settle on Tuesday, with no weather warnings currently in place for that day.

Here, using Met Office forecasts, Yahoo News UK breaks down what the weather will be like in each region as Storm Isha hits.

London and the South East

• Sunday to Tuesday

Light rain and some sunshine before Storm Isha arrives bringing outbreaks of heavy rain. Winds increasing, with gale or severe gale gusts developing. Mild, but tempered by the wind. Maximum temperature 12C. Largely dry on Monday with bright or sunny spells and maximum temperatures of 9C. Unsettled Tuesday, with further wet and windy weather sweeping east.

• Wednesday

Largely dry with sunny spells. Often mild.

South West

• Sunday to Tuesday

Dry and bright for much of Sunday before becoming increasingly windy with gales developing as Storm Isha nears. Milder 12C temperatures offset by strong winds. More wind on Monday, often bright with sunny spells at times but also occasional blustery showers and maximum temperatures of 10C. Changeable. Wet and windy on Tuesday with heavy rain at times and very mild.

• Wednesday

Brighter and less mild, with winds easing.

Midlands

• Sunday to Tuesday

In the East Midlands, it will be briefly dry before Storm Isha arrives bringing outbreaks of rain, particularly heavy on hills, and increasingly heavy winds. Maximum temperatures of 12C but tempered by winds. Largely dry with bright or sunny spells on Tuesday and temperatures of 9C. Unsettled Tuesday, with further wet and windy weather sweeping east.

Thickening cloud on Sunday afternoon in the West Midlands with some rain, mainly in the west. Turning increasingly windy by sunset. Maximum temperatures of 12C. More wind on Monday with some sunnier spells and maximum temperatures of 9C. Wet and windy on Tuesday with heavy rain at times and very mild.

• Wednesday

Further wet and windy weather sweeping east in both the West and East Midlands.

North East

• Sunday to Tuesday

Persistent and heavy rain on Sunday afternoon with severe gale force gusts developing. Maximum temperature 11C tempered by the wind. Staying unsettled on Monday with a mixture of sunny spells and blustery showers, locally heavy, especially over western hills, and temperatures of 7C. Unsettled Tuesday, with further wet and windy weather sweeping east.

• Wednesday

Largely dry with sunny spells Wednesday.

North West

• Sunday to Tuesday

Turning very windy on Sunday afternoon with rain in many areas. Maximum temperature 12C. Still windy on Monday with bright and sunny spells. Felling chillier with maximum temperatures of 9C. Wet and windy on Tuesday with heavy rain at times and very mild.

• Wednesday

Brighter and less mild on Wednesday with winds easing.

Scotland

• Sunday to Tuesday

The amber warnings apply to the Central, Tayside and Fife; Strathclyde; and Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders regions. All can expect rain and very strong winds to arrive on Sunday afternoon. Further showers and winds will follow on Monday and Tuesday.

• Wednesday

Windy with early showers on Wednesday

Northern Ireland

• Sunday to Tuesday

Cloudy with rain on Sunday, with strong southwesterly winds, occasionally gale force. Maximum temperatures of 12C. Sunny spells and frequent showers, briefly heavy in the north and west on Monday. Maximum temperature 7C. Rainy and windy on Tuesday morning, turning drier from the west in the afternoon.

• Wednesday

Early showers on Wednesday, drier later.

Wales

• Sunday to Tuesday

Turning very wet and windy across much of Wales on Sunday afternoon with localised flooding possible, mainly in the west. Becoming stormy by the evening. Maximum temperature 12C. Still windy on Monday, albeit not quite as much. Maximum temperatures of 9C, with much brighter with sunny spells at times and just occasional blustery showers. Wet and windy on Tuesday with heavy rain at times and very mild.

• Wednesday

Drier as winds gradually ease. Remaining mild.