North Yorkshire placed under amber weather warning

The warning extends from Harrogate to Robin Hood’s Bay on the coast, including Knaresborough, Ripon, Malton, Thirsk, Easingwold, Sutton on the Forest, Whitby and Staithes.

The Met Office has warned that the storm is bringing very strong southwesterly winds across the north, and in some areas, gusts of up to 70 mph.

Recommended reading:

Winds are expected to be at their strongest at around 11pm tonight.

In Staithes, these will reach to 39mph at 12am on Easter Sunday (April 5).

The storm will be less intense but still disruptive in Thirsk and Ripon, with winds reaching their peak at 28mph at approximately 12am.

An amber weather warning will be in place from 7pm tonight (April 4) (Image: Met Office)

Over in Harrogate and Knaresborough, these will be roughly 31mph.

The amber warning is due to begin at 7pm and will last until 3am tomorrow morning.

It comes after a separate yellow weather warning for wind was placed on York and North Yorkshire, which will last until 7am tomorrow.

The Met Office has warned the public that driving in high winds may be dangerous and has urged motorists to be mindful of high-sided vehicles, caravans, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Some travel disruptions are to be expected, along with delays, closed roads and bridges, and power cuts.

A statement from the Met Office read: “A spell of very strong southwesterly, then westerly winds is expected across north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland on Saturday evening and overnight before easing early on Sunday.

“Gusts of 60-70 mph are possible widely with some coastal or exposed locations seeing gusts of around 80 mph.”

The Press will be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest weather news this afternoon.