Parts of the UK were hit by strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Ashley – the first named storm of the season – hit.

The Met Office said the storm was likely to pose a risk of injury and death, with winds of up to 80 miles per hour and heavy rain expected in some areas.

A yellow wind warning came into force at 3am on Sunday for all of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as parts of north-west England and Wales. It runs until midnight.

A yellow warning has been issued for the northwest of Scotland from 9am until midnight, with the Met Office warning: “Injury and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, seashores and properties.”

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said very strong and violent storms combined with high spring tides could also lead to very large waves. A yellow wind warning remains in effect for the north of Scotland from midnight to 9am on Monday.

Further south, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for the south west of England and south Wales until midday on Sunday, warning that travel could be disrupted and electricity supplies cut, leading to flooding.

The Environment Agency’s website listed 41 active flood warnings on Sunday morning, meaning flooding was expected, and 132 flood warnings, meaning flooding was possible, with warnings in place for areas of the River Severn, the south Cornish coast and the Wye. Mouth were considered.

The Met Office said Sunday would be a “strongly windy day” with gale-force winds in the northwest and rain and gusty winds from the east, although sunny spells were expected later.

“Parts of western Scotland could see gusts of 70-80mph in the afternoon,” meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said, adding: “Much of England and Wales will be drier and brighter, with some sunny spells in the afternoon.”

Road users in Scotland have been told to avoid unnecessary journeys and Sunday’s annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been canceled due to weather-related safety concerns. Flights between the UK and Belfast City Airport were also canceled until at least Sunday afternoon, with flights to and from Dublin, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh airports also affected.

Police Scotland has advised motorists to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary journeys where possible as the likelihood of disruption to roads is high, while Transport Scotland has warned of possible delays to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

ScotRail said some services would be subject to precautionary speed restrictions, while ferry operator CalMac said many of its services on the west coast of Scotland had been suspended and others could potentially be disrupted.

Ch Supt Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “Ensure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is absolutely roadworthy and that the tire pressure and tread meet legal requirements.”

“Make sure your cell phone is fully charged in case you need to call for help, and if you expect to be in your vehicle for an extended period of time, take extra clothing and water.”

Stroud said strong, gale-force winds would continue into Monday morning, meaning “fallen debris and trees” could affect commuters heading to work earlier in the week.

Winds are expected to ease later Monday and rain will move southeast, although it is expected to remain stormy in the north for most of the week.

Meteorologists from Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands are working together to name storms in Western Europe. Storm Ashley was named by Irish Met Éireann.