The met office has issued severe wind, rain and snow weather warnings for the whole of the United Kingdom, as Storm Barra makes it way in from the west.

Strong winds are to be expected to affect much of the UK, in particular Northern Ireland, Wales and all of England, while snow is forecast for the north of England and Scotland and rain for Northern Ireland.

Frank Saunders, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said:

“Strong winds arriving across the west through Tuesday (December 7) morning, will spread inland and reach eastern areas through the afternoon and early evening.

Gusts of 45-50m/h are expected widely, with 60-70m/h in exposed coastal locations. The strongest winds will ease across inland areas into the overnight period.”

The status yellow wind warning is in place across the UK from 9:00a.m until midnight tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7. The warning will remain in place on Wednesday for Northern Ireland (until 9:00a.m) and southern England (until 6:00p.m).

There is a potential these winds will cause travel disruption and damage to some buildings, i.e. tiles blown from roofs, or flooding.

There is also a chance that power cuts will occur and other services, i.e. mobile phone services may be affected. Some rural communities could be cut off.

There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur, the Met office notes, from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, and fast-flowing or deep floodwater.

Heavy snow is also to be expected in Scotland and parts of northern England, also likely to bring travel disruption, especially over higher routes.

This warning is in place from 11:00a.m until midnight.

Brent Waler, deputy chief meteorologist said:

“A band of rain will turn to snow across northern England and Scotland through Tuesday. Two to 5cm of snow is expected to accumulate quite widely across the warning area, but locally this could reach 10cm, particularly in parts of the Southern Uplands and Highlands.

Strong south-easterly winds will also lead to snow drifting in places, particularly over the highest routes, adding to poor visibilities.”

Northern Ireland will also experience heavy rain throughout the two days.

Storm Barra

Storm Barra is the second-named storm of the season, and originates from a deep area of low-pressure moving in from the Atlantic.