Christmas travel plans could be under threat as Storm Pia is set to bring winds of up to 80mph to parts of the UK.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for high winds for the northern half of the country on Thursday, bringing the potential for travel chaos in the run-up to Christmas.

A yellow wind warning, first issued on Monday, has been amended, with the end time brought forward three hours to 9pm and the warning impact level updated.

The latest UK weather update

Winds of between 70mph and 80mph are forecast for northern Scotland, with up to 65-70mph on high ground.

In other parts of Scotland, as well as Northern Ireland, North Wales and England north from Birmingham, as well as the top half of East Anglia, winds could reach speeds of 45-55mph.

Travel plans are likely to be affected, the agency said, with power cuts possible.

Flooding and storms cause havoc as extreme weather hits US, Australia, India and Argentina

UK weather: Christmas forecast shows ‘small chance’ of snow and ice amid unsettled conditions

Storm Fergus: Police tell public to ‘avoid area’ after reports tornado struck Irish village

High-sided vehicles could be affected on exposed roads and coastal routes could be sprayed by high waves.

The low-pressure system has been named Storm Pia by the Danish authorities, but it was not expected to be severe enough in the UK to warrant being officially named.

Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesperson, said: “It is quite a wide wind warning area. Gusts are forecast quite widely.”

Read more:
Will it be a white Christmas?
Christmas designed by AI looks like this
Beavers return to the Cairngorms

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The Met Office forecasts showers along with the wind, with more rain expected on Friday.

Looking ahead, Mr Dixon said there was the possibility of snow on Christmas Day but only in the far north of Scotland.

“It looks like there will be a drier afternoon in the south of the UK for those post-Christmas dinner walks,” he said.

Related posts:

Computerised image released to help identify body of woman found on beach Hartlepool’s monkey statue to be given ‘explanatory sign’ to avoid offending visitors Ethnically diverse people now make up highest proportion of ICU patients since pandemic began Tory minister dismisses Conservative sleaze row as ‘Westminster storm in a teacup’ Number of COVID booster jabs administered in UK reaches 10 million UK bans luxury goods exports to Russia and hikes import tariffs on products – including vodka Young mother found guilty of infanticide of 10-week-old daughter UK to send heated tents and cold weather gear to Ukraine ahead of perilous winter Boy got leg stuck in icy Solihull lake and others tried to help, friend says – as police say three died Baby boy died after being left ‘unsupervised’ in shed, court hears The ‘tight margin between safety and mortal danger’ driving the super-wealthy towards ‘extreme tourism’ One child killed and another injured after being hit by car – as man arrested for drink driving