THE Met Office has warned 80mph winds will blast Britain in a “danger to life” alert in just days.
Large parts of the United Kingdom have been warned to brace for strong winds that could affect travel and cause injury – days before Christmas.
AlamyA windy and wet day in Glasgow on Sunday[/caption]
A yellow weather alert for wind is in place for much of the country this week
Gusts of up to 80mph could hit the UK
The yellow weather warning extends from Scotland to Northern Ireland, the north of England and parts of East and West Mids.
It will be in place from the early hours of Thursday morning until midnight.
We can expect roads, rail services, and ferries to be affected, a chance of damage to buildings, and power cuts, according to the Met Office.
While gales of 80mph are predicted in parts, 50 and 60mph winds will be felt elsewhere.
A Met Office meteorologist said: “It’s across northern parts that we’re going to see the strongest winds.
“Across northern areas, 50 to 60 miles per hour winds are quite likely.
“Even perhaps 70 to 80 in some exposed spots over the higher ground.
“Also in the east we’re going to see some strong gusty winds, perhaps 60 to 70 miles per hour affecting parts such as the Pennines around York and Sheffield.
“We could have some pretty strong winds as we go through Thursday and it’s no surprise that we do have a warning out currently.
“It affects many parts of the UK and is valid for pretty much the whole of Thursday.
“At this time of year many people will be taking to the roads with a lot more travel happening so that could cause some problems.”
It comes after the Met Office said there is a chance of “wintry showers” in northern areas at the end of this week and over the weekend.
If they persist into next week, there could be a dusting of snow on Christmas Day.
A Met Office spokesperson added: “As we head towards the end of next week and the festive period there is, as always, more uncertainty in the forecast.
“However, there are indications that by the end of next week we could see high pressure moving further south and west away from the UK, allowing northwesterly winds to develop at times.
“This would allow some short periods where colder air affects the UK, with the potential for wintry showers in northern areas.”
Meteorologist Grahame Madge, previously told The Mirror: “We’re still one week away and the broad picture is that there will be colder air coming in from the North.
“Where the uncertainty plays out is how far south that [cold air] will get. Some models show it coming down as far south as the Midlands.”
But any snow is unlikely to settle, with little sign of a “widespread or severe” cold snap.
“Are we likely to see snow fall in Central London next Monday? I’d say it’s very unlikely,” added the forecaster.
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