UK weather news – live: Met Office issues ‘danger to life’ Storm Dudley warning as Britain braces for snow

The Met Office has released a moving graphic showing the severity of the double-storm heading to the UK later this week.

The forecasters tweeted: “An active jet steam will help to develop and then propel #TwoStorms across the UK this week

“#StormDudley and #StormEunice will bring disruptive winds from Wednesday afternoon and possibly snow on Friday”.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind on Friday as Storm Eunice hits the UK.

The storm will hit most of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"There is a small chance that flying debris will result in a danger to life, with fallen trees, damage to buildings and homes, roofs blown off and power lines brought down," thet Met says.

Drivers are being advised to check weather conditions before making journeys in the coming days.

National Highways is encouraging people to take extra care when planning trips.

Jeremy Phillips, National Highways head of road safety, asked drivers to consider whether taking to the roads amid storms is necessary.

"If you do intend to travel, then plan your journey and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey," he said.

“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down."

He added: “Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space.

"In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow signed diversion routes.”

Two storms are set to batter the whole of the UK bringing 90mph winds which could pose a “danger to life”.

Storm Dudley is expected to hit northern parts on Wednesday and Thursday, before Storm Eunice arrives on Friday.

My colleague Chiara Giordano has the full report ICYMI.

Some snow could fall later in the week when Storm Dudley hits.

It will fall mostly on high ground if so, the Met says.

"The highest accumulations will be in the Grampians," a spokesperson said.

"Lower down, any snow is likely to be short-lived but when it is coming down it is likely to be blizzard conditions."

The Met says there may be travel disruption for the areas affected by the weather warnings.

Road, rail, air and ferry services may be hit, with longer journey times and cancellations possible, as well as some roads and bridges may close, the service says.

Fallen trees and some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen.

Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

There is a chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris, as well as large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

Storm Dudley is expected to hit on Wednesday and the Met has issued two amber and yellow weather warnings.

According to the Met, these areas will be affected by the amber alert:

• Central, Tayside & Fife in Scotland
• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
• Strathclyde
• Yorkshire and Humber
• North East England
• North West England
• Northern Ireland

These are the areas covered by the Yellow warning:

• Central, Tayside & Fife
• Grampian
• Highlands & Eilean Siar
• North East England
• North West England
• Northern Ireland
• Orkney & Shetland
• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
• Strathclyde
• Wales
• Yorkshire & Humber

Some snow could fall later in the week when Storm Dudley hits.

It will fall mostly on high ground if so, the Met says.

"The highest accumulations will be in the Grampians," a spokesperson said.

"Lower down, any snow is likely to be short-lived but when it is coming down it is likely to be blizzard conditions."

The next low pressure system, Storm Eunice, will track across central areas of the UK on Friday.

Further impacts are expected from very strong winds with 60 – 70 mph gusts possible inland, perhaps even stronger in some places, though the strongest winds and worst-affected areas are uncertain at present.

This system is also expected to bring some heavy rain and there is a potential for some significant snowfall over hills in the Midlands and further north.

Strong winds will cross western Scotland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, pushing eastward to northern England overnight and through Thursday morning, the Met says.

Forecasters say 80-90 mph wind gusts are possible on exposed coasts and hills of Scotland with 60-70 mph possible further inland.

Winds are expected to ease through Thursday afternoon and evening.