Parts of Britain have been battered by high winds and heavy rain as Storm Ashley – the first named storm of the season – swept through.

The Met Office said the storm was likely to bring a threat of injuries and danger to life, with winds of up to 80mph and heavy rainfall expected in some areas.

At 3am on Sunday, a yellow wind warning came into force for the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as parts of north-west England and Wales. It will last until midnight.

An amber warning was issued for north-west Scotland from 9am to midnight, with the Met Office warning: “Injuries and danger to life are likely as large waves and beach material are thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts 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 applies to the north of Scotland from midnight until 9am on Monday.

Further south, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for south-west England and south Wales until Sunday afternoon, warning that travel could be disrupted and power supplies disrupted, with possible flooding.

The Environment Agency website on Sunday morning listed 41 active flood warnings, meaning flooding was expected, and 132 flood warnings, meaning flooding was possible, with warnings for areas of the River Severn, the south coast of Cornwall and the Estuary Wye.

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

“Parts of western Scotland could see gusts of 75 to 80 miles per hour in the afternoon,” said meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer, adding: “Much of England and Wales will be drier and brighter, with some sunny periods in the afternoon.”

Road users in Scotland have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and Sunday’s annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, has been canceled due to weather-related safety concerns. Flights between Britain and Belfast City airport have also been 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 travel where possible, with a high risk of disruption to roads, while Transport Scotland has warned of likely delays to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

ScotRail said speed restrictions are in place on some services as a precaution, while ferry operator CalMac said many of its services on the west coast of Scotland have been cancelled, while others may be disrupted.

Ch Supt Hilary Sloan, Chief of Road Policing for Police Scotland, said: “Ensure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is fully roadworthy, with tire pressure and tread meeting legal requirements.

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

Stroud said strong, gusty winds would continue until Monday morning, meaning “fallen debris and trees” could impact commuters traveling to work at the start of the week.

Winds are expected to decrease throughout Monday, with rain moving to the southeast, although the north is expected to remain windy for most of the week.

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