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Storm Hannah has been officially named as the UK and Ireland are warned to brace for coastal gales and heavy thunderstorms.

Temperatures are set to drop from Friday as the first of a series of weather fronts rolls in to hit first Ireland and then the UK from the Atlantic.

There is a warning of potentially heavy rain in the North and West and coastal gales in the South of the UK.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the South West of the UK and Wales for strong wind - which will be in place from 9pm on Friday to 3pm on Saturday.

There will also be widespread showers as the storm, named by Met Eireann in partnership with the Met Office, sweeps across the country from the north-west, and there is a risk of some strong winds with low pressure in charge.

The most-volatile conditions will sweep over the UK overnight on Friday into Saturday. Central and southern areas will be hit by the worst of the conditions with the risk of some heavy, thundery downpours.

Coastal gales are possible in the southern and south-west England, south Wales and Ireland during Saturday as winds strengthen, with gusts around 50-60mph in exposed areas.

The Met Office warning reads: "A spell of strong winds is expected across parts of south Wales, south and southwest England, bringing a risk of disruption to travel."

It says to expect:

Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, with bus and train services affected

Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely

Some short term loss of power and other services is possible due to fallen branches

It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities could be affected by spray and/or large waves

A Met Office spokesman said: "Strong winds will push from west to east across parts of south Wales and southwest England late Friday, then across parts central southern England through Saturday.

"Gusts of 60-70 mph are likely around exposed coasts of south Wales and southwest England, whilst gusts of 45-55 mph are likely across more inland parts of central and southern England on Saturday."

Winds should ease and it should become drier, and brighter on Sunday, although some showers are still possible later in the day, especially in the south-west of England and south Wales.

The best of the sunshine is predicted for Scotland. It will feel cool for most. Further rain is expected on Monday.

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said there would be an unsettled period ahead with low pressure cells bringing frequent and often widespread showers or longer spells of rain.

The forecaster said: “Low pressure will is firmly in place across the British Isles, bringing in cooler conditions. This unsettled regime will result in increasing cloud and showers which may be heavy and thundery at times.”