Swathes of Britain are set to be battered by gales this weekend as Storm Arwen brings winds of up to 75mph.
The Met Office has issued weather warnings covering most of the UK for Saturday, with coastal areas hit hardest.
Forecasters say high winds may cause some travel disruption and damage in the worst affected areas.
An amber alert issued for northeast Scotland and northeast England says “flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life”.
Longer journey times in those areas are “likely”, with rail, air and ferry services potentially disrupted, the Met Office said.
A yellow warning in place for most of England, including the southwest, Midlands, east and north, says Storm Arwen will bring gusts of up 65mph to cities such as Plymouth, Bristol, Norwich, Manchester and Newcastle.
Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri told The Independent: “Storm Arwen is associated with a deep low pressure system that will impact the northeast in particular from Friday, but will also bring wider impacts to the UK with high winds and rain.
“As the storm sinks southwards [it] will bring gusts of up to 65mph in coastal areas, although slightly stronger in the northeast, with in excess of 75mph possible in exposed locations.”
Parts of the UK are also set for a sprinkling of snow this weekend as an Arctic blast bites, sending temperatures tumbling towards freezing.
Hilly areas in the north are predicted to see snow on Friday, and as the wintry mix of rain and snow continues into Saturday, snow is possible anywhere apart from the far south – although accumulations are likely to be confined to the hills.
On Friday, highs will reach 8C in the south and 7C in the north. While forecasters expect similar temperatures on Saturday, bitter Arctic winds coming from the north will make it feel like -2C in central Scotland and 0C in and around London.
Sunday will be mainly dry and sunny, however thick cloud will build into northern and western areas during the day, bringing a chance of drizzle later.
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