Gales from the Atlantic will reach 80mph and batter parts of the UK during firework displays this weekend, forecasters warned today with power cuts and travel disruption expected for millions of people.
The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for parts of Scotland including Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian and the Highlands — which means that severe weather is expected and could cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.
West to northwesterly gales will reach 80mph in the more remote areas. Coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities, including in and around Aberdeen, will be affected by spray and large waves as the winds spread eastwards.
Temperatures are expected to drop as low as -6C (21.2F) by the end of next week in parts of Britain during a deep freeze.
Forecasters warned: 'In combination with high spring tides this is expected to lead to large waves around the coasts. Winds gradually easing through Sunday afternoon.
'Strengthening west to northwesterly winds will bring gusts of 60-70 mph, perhaps locally 80 mph, to exposed locations of northern and eastern Scotland.
'These very strong winds likely to result in some travel disruption and dangerous coastal conditions across northern and eastern Scotland. It's believed bus and train services will be affected, with some journeys taking longer.'
Strong winds tonight will cause power cuts and travel disruption for millions of people, forecaster have warned. Pictured: Wimbledon's dramatic skyline in southwest London this morning
Gales from the Atlantic will reach 80mph and batter parts of the UK during firework displays this weekend, forecasters warned today. Pictured: Rough seas in Blackpool
Weather in the South is expected to be breezy with some cloud for the rest of the day. Pictured: A cyclist makes his way down a country and at first light in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today
Scattered showers will persist in northwest Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northwest England today, but cloud and rain will clear across the southern UK this afternoon.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: 'So a wet start then as the cold front pushes into western Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday morning.
'Heavy rain for a time - large rainfall totals building up for western Scotland, then the wet weather sinking into south western Scotland, North West England, North Wales by lunchtime
The Met Office has today issued yellow weather warnings for parts of Scotland including Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian
