Warnings have been issued across northern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland urging people to prepare for possible disruption and coastal flooding.

Forecasters at the Met Office have predicted gusts of up to 80 mph in exposed areas that could topple trees on to railways and power lines, rip roof tiles off and cause structural damage, as well as “exceptionally large waves” smashing into the western coastline.

Western and northern Scotland will be worst-affected and are covered by an amber warning for wind today, while the rest of the UK is covered by a yellow alert.

A “weather bomb” bringing storm-force winds and giant waves is hitting the UK this morning.

Warnings have been issued across northern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland urging people to prepare for possible disruption and coastal flooding.

Forecasters at the Met Office have predicted gusts of up to 80mph in exposed areas that could topple trees on to railways and power lines, rip roof tiles off and cause structural damage, as well as “exceptionally large waves” smashing into the western coastline.

Western and northern Scotland will be worst-affected and are covered by an amber warning for wind today, while the rest of the UK is covered by a yellow alert.

The process behind the storm - rapid cyclogenesis, known as a “weather bomb” - is a deep low pressure system moving between Scotland and Iceland.

Police warned that travel conditions in the worst-hit areas of Scotland could be “hazardous”, with disruption also expected on ferries, rail services, roads and bridges.

Causeways and coastal roads exposed to the west are the most dangerous and ferry services are being cancelled because of huge waves and sea swells of up to 40 ft.

Snow showers will also bring an additional danger, mainly over higher ground where several inches could fall.

Several train services have been cancelled as a safety precaution and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has more than 20 flood alerts and warnings in place.

The Forth Road Bridge connecting Edinburgh and Fife could be closed to all vehicles except cars because of the risk of lorries and vans being blown over and access to the Kessock and Skye bridges may also be limited.

In the Western Isles, all school, nurseries, libraries, museums and sports centres have been shut after police advised people not to travel unless it was absolutely necessary.

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