Tens of thousands of homes are without power as Storm Otto brings winds of more than 80mph to parts of the UK.

Energy company SSEN said that, as of 11am Friday, 30,000 properties in Scotland were without power and it could be more than two days before supply is restored.

The network has a number of faults on its high voltage network due to fallen trees, branches and other windblown debris.

Mark Rough, operations director at SSEN Distribution, said power has been restored to 10,000 properties so far.

He added: “Despite the widespread nature of the storm, coupled with ongoing adverse weather conditions and challenges with access, our teams have made good progress restoring power to homes impacted.

“With wind speeds expected to subside from around midday, we expect to make significant progress throughout the course of today.”

In England, around 1,300 homes in Ripon and 1,330 homes near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, are without power, with Northern Powergrid also reporting supply cuts in Northumberland, Darlington and Leeds.

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The Met Office recorded wind gusts of 83mph at Inverbervie in Scotland’s north east, while winds elsewhere reached up to 75mph.

Schools were closed in some parts of Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire, and the roof of a school in Carnoustie, Angus, was damaged by the wind.

In Aberdeenshire, the council said several GP practices were operating emergency services only, as they were among those to have lost power supply.

Train operator Scot Rail is also running an emergency timetable with speed restrictions.

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Yellow weather warnings for wind are in place covering parts of north and north-east England and southern Scotland until 2pm, while a warning for snow and ice in parts of Scotland starts late tonight and lasts until 9am tomorrow.

In other Otto-related disruption on Friday:

• A1(M) affected by a number of closures or delays due to overturned lorries – between J48 and 49, and 60 and 59
• A1(M) closed to high-sided vehicles in both directions between J47 and 56
• Leeds Bradford Airport is open but there is disruption to flights, a spokesperson said
• Some services cancelled by London North Eastern Railway
• Tree blocking the rail line between Harrogate and Knaresborough in Yorkshire
• Reports of trees blocking roads in Harrogate and Leeds

A Met Office spokesperson said: “The strong winds from Storm Otto will ease through the day as the low pressure moves out into the North Sea.

“After a relatively dry day with good sunny spells in places, cloud will build from the west this evening before rain and snow move across most parts overnight.”

Check the forecast in your area

Forecasters said snow is likely to fall in locations over 300 metres, with 2-5cm possible across the warning area, and 5-10cm over the highest locations.

“Rain and hill snow will ease in the early morning of Saturday, with some brightness, though rain will return later from the west. There will be some drizzly rain further south, but it will be mild with a few brighter spells by afternoon.

“Wet and windy conditions will return for the north of Scotland on Sunday as an area of low pressure skirts to the north of the UK.”

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