Storm Debi swoops in: Met Office issues warnings for large swathes of the UK with 'disruptive' 80mph gusts and heavy downpours set to wreak travel chaos and power outrages

Heavy rain and gale-force winds are set to strike much of Britain today as Storm Debi arrives, bringing with it travel chaos and power outages.

The Met Office issued an amber weather warning, active from 10am until 4pm, for parts of the North West covering coastal areas north of Liverpool up to Whitehaven.

Forecasters have warned strong winds could result in flying debris. Damage to buildings and structures is likely, and heavy items such as tiles blown from roofs may present a potential danger to life. 

Around 100,000 homes and businesses are without power in Ireland as heavy winds and fallen trees have been reported across the country. People have been warned that cuts to power, mobile phone reception, and more may occur across the UK as the storm batters power and telecommunication lines.

Roads and bridges are also likely to close, meaning longer journey times and public transport. Other cancellations are possible, with road, rail, air and ferry services to be affected.

Those in coastal areas have been advised to keep away from the waterfront, with large waves and beach material likely to be thrown on to roads, sea fronts, and nearby properties.

Chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight and will bring impacts across parts of the UK today.

'Because of the particular risk of impacts to parts of County Armagh and County Down this morning and parts of north-west England through much of the day we have issued two amber wind warnings.'

Weather warnings have been issued for large parts of the UK, as the storm is forecast to sweep across Ireland before reaching northern England and parts of Wales today, with the potential for 80mph gusts in some areas.

A yellow warning for wind, the lowest level of alert, will be in place from 4am until 6pm for areas including Bangor and St Davids in Wales and Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool in England.

Aberdeenshire in Scotland will have a yellow warning for rain from 10am until 9pm.

Parts of north-east Scotland likely to see heavy rain were also battered by Storm Babet last month, including Brechin in Angus, where hundreds of homes had to be evacuated after the river South Esk breached its banks.

Jonathan Vautrey, meteorologist for the Met Office, urged people to 'take care before you travel' as morning rush hour is expected to be affected.

He said: 'There will be some heavy rainfall, the potential for flying debris, the potential for disruption to travel and infrastructure in places.'

Meanwhile, forecasters had warned of a potential 'danger to life' as schools in parts of Ireland delayed opening due to weather warnings across the island.

A yellow warning for every county in Ireland came into effect at midnight and is due to remain until 3pm on Monday, and the majority of people are also living in areas where the Irish meteorological agency has issued red warnings due to 'severe and damaging gusts'.

A second red warning is in effect for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly and Westmeath until 9am.

A status orange wind warning also applies to these counties as well as Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, Kilkenny, Longford, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow and the rest of Galway and Roscommon from 2am until 10am.

Dublin Airport warned the weather 'may cause some disruption to early morning flights', while the Luas said there will be no Red or Green Line tram services operating before approximately 10am.

Dublin Coach said a number of its services had been cancelled because of the weather warnings with updates to be provided throughout the day.

Dublin Bus said none of its services will operate before 10am on Monday due to Storm Debi, and there will be a phased return with some disruptions later in the day.

A separate overnight red warning for east Galway and south Roscommon was extended until 7am. A yellow warning applies to every county in Ireland until 3pm today.

Ireland's National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) advised schools and pre-schools in several counties to remain closed until 10am today.

A spokesman for the Irish electricity company ESB said approximately 100,000 customers were without power supply at 7:45am on Monday due to Storm Debi. 

Jason Kelly, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'The strongest winds are expected to affect parts of the Republic of Ireland early on Monday, possibly coinciding with the morning commute, before affecting parts of north Wales and northern England into the afternoon. 

'Whilst the very strongest winds will have eased somewhat before reaching the UK, we are still expecting some significant impacts, and a wind warning has been issued.

'Additionally, Debi will bring a period of heavy rain to Northern Ireland for which a combined wind and rain warning has been issued.'

Simon Partridge, a spokesman for the Met Office, added: 'For parts of north-west Wales and England, there is a possibility of 70 to 80mph winds.

'It will be a wet and blustery day for all.'