Coastal areas in south and southwest England and most of Wales are on alert ahead of a major storm system that has triggered warnings of dangerous conditions and disruption across the UK and Ireland.

Weather maps show that there will be very heavy rain falling in Wales overnight and there is a warning about the wind

The 'Hurricane Hunters' aircraft, known as 'Kermit', was spotted arriving in Ireland as the country braces for the arrival of Storm Eowyn, which will bring destructive winds and heavy rain

A rare, red warning has also been issued by Ireland's weather service across all counties ahead of the arrival of Storm Eowyn, saying it will bring "severe, damaging and destructive gusts".

The storm is expected to bring possible damage and disruption to parts of Ireland and the UK as it tracks east from the Atlantic. A Met Office yellow warning for wind lasts from midnight on Thursday until midnight on Friday as the storm moves across the region,

Storm Eowyn is potentially bringing historic gusts that could cause a threat to life as it hits Ireland on Friday

The Met Office has named a new storm as winds of up to 80mph are expected to hit the UK this weekend. Storm Éowyn is forecast to make landfall in Ireland late on Thursday before moving on to the rest of the UK on Friday according to Met Office models.

The UK Met Office has chosen the name Éowyn for the storm system brewing out in the Atlantic - and it could be a very bad one for Ireland and our neighbours with damaging gusts likely on Friday. Both Irish and UK meterologists are now closely tracking the low pressure system that the Met Office says will lead to travel disruption,