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The weather warning in place for Storm Ashley has been extended to cover a wider geography in Lancashire.
The warning – a yellow weather warning for wind issued by the Met Office – has been in place since 3am this morning (20 October) and is due to expire at midnight.
Until around 10.40am, the Lancashire element of that warning extended to an off-shore section of the Fylde Coast. Despite that, Preston has woken up to strong winds this morning that you might associate with a weather warning.
Read more: Hoghton Tower farmers’ market called off at last minute due to wind and rain
The area the warning covers has now been extended to include the vast majority of the Fylde Coast, as well as areas of Kirkham, Lytham St Annes and areas like Catforth, Inksip and Cottam.
The warning states that damage to buildings, power cuts, injuries and danger to life, closed roads and long journey times are all possibilities due to the high winds Storm Ashley has brought.
It has also been a wet start for Lancashire but this is expected to subside by the afternoon.
Tony Wisson, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, said: “Storm Ashley will bring strong winds for most of the UK on Sunday before it clears on Monday, with a chance of some disruption across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and West Wales.
“A period of especially strong winds are expected on Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas and an Amber warning for winds has been issued here.
“More generally 50-60 mph are possible in some inland areas in other parts of the warning area, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70 mph along exposed coasts and hills. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause some disruption.
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