Storm Isha hour by hour live updates as Met Office amber weather warning begins with UK braced for major disruption

Prepare to batten down the hatches as Storm Isha continues to gather momentum ahead of its expected arrival in the UK this evening.

Weather conditions are expected to take a drastic turn for the worse on Sunday evening, with one weather expert advising people to stay indoors for the hours during which the effects of Storm Isha are felt.

Winds of up to 80mph will swoop in later on Sunday, potentially causing power cuts and loss of mobile phone signal, while roads and bridges are likely to be shut and transport services could face delays and cancellations in some areas.

The whole island of Ireland is under an orange wind warning and will be the first place to feel the effects of the storm. The whole of Wales is also covered by an amber warning after it was upgraded on Sunday morning. The warning starts at 6pm on Sunday. More details of the warning here.

Welsh forecaster Derek Brockway said on Sunday morning: "The wind is already on the increase and the weather will gradually go downhill today and take a turn for the worse. A wild, wet and very windy end to the weekend with heavy rain, severe gales and potentially damaging gusts from Storm Isha. Batten down the hatches!"

He added that the forecast is showing 70-75mph this afternoon, 80-90mph predicted this evening.

Met Office Forecaster Ellie Glaisyer told the PA news agency: "The main thing about this storm is it is very widespread across the whole of the UK. Quite often we see storms affecting the north west or the southern half of the UK, whereas this one, later on Sunday and into Monday, the whole of the UK is covered by a warning, which is relatively rare.

"In that nature it's a very widespread storm and it's going to be affecting everybody. Heavy rain will affect everybody,