The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning, as risks of snow and freezing weather hits the UK – with threats of travel disruption
Strong winds and snow are expected to sweep across parts of the UK in the coming days, with forecasters warning that travel disruption is possible.
A yellow weather warning is currently in place for parts of Scotland as strengthening winds develop across the country. The Met Office alert covers northern and western Scotland on Wednesday, where gusts could reach up to 80mph (130km/h) in exposed locations.
The warning remains in force until 12pm GMT, with widespread gusts of 65-70mph (105-110km/h) expected across the affected areas. Forecasters say there is also a small chance that some locations could briefly see winds hitting the 80mph mark.
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The strongest winds are forecast to arrive first across the Outer and Inner Hebrides before spreading eastwards. Northern mainland Scotland and Orkney are also expected to experience the strongest gusts later in the day.
As the winds intensify, there is a risk of disruption to travel across the affected areas. The Met Office has warned that ferry services could be cancelled, flights may be delayed and bridges could impose restrictions on high-sided vehicles as the gusty conditions develop.
Despite the strong winds, much of the UK will see dry and bright weather on Wednesday. Scotland will see more unsettled conditions, with frequent showers moving through during the day.
By Thursday the worst of the winds across western Scotland are expected to ease, but blustery conditions will become more widespread across the rest of the UK.
Large parts of the country are likely to experience gusts between 40 and 50mph (65-80km/h). Winds could reach around 60mph (97km/h) along western coasts of England and Wales, while northern and western Scotland could still see gusts up to around 65mph (105km/h).
The unsettled weather is being driven by a deepening area of low pressure positioned between Scotland and Iceland. The system is generating strong westerly winds, gales and occasionally severe gales as it moves across the region.
Forecasters are also monitoring conditions heading into the weekend as another deep area of low pressure is expected to pass to the south of Iceland. Strong winds on the southern flank of that system could once again bring blustery conditions to the UK.
From Friday, a northwesterly wind is expected to begin pulling colder air down from the Arctic region.
As a result, temperatures are forecast to fall to around three or four degrees below average. Combined with the strong winds, conditions could feel significantly colder across much of the country.
Fast-moving hail showers could develop in many areas, and brief flurries of wet snow are possible almost anywhere, including parts of southern England.
However, forecasters say snow in southern areas is unlikely to settle.
Any significant accumulation is expected to be confined mainly to the mountains and higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Some snowfall could also occur on higher ground in Wales and south-west England.
Further wintry showers are also possible later in the weekend, with forecasters warning that conditions on Sunday could remain unsettled.