Storm Pia could disrupt Christmas travel plans with strong winds across the UK

The UK Met Office has issued a weather warning as strong winds are forecast for the northern half of the UK on Thursday, potentially causing travel disruption in the run-up to Christmas.

A low pressure system far to the north of the UK will bring winds of 70-80 mph to northern Scotland, 65-70 mph at higher elevations and 45-55 mph across the rest of Northern Ireland, Scotland, north Wales and England north of Birmingham and the upper half of East Anglia.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind from midnight to 9pm on Thursday, meaning travel disruption is expected, power outages are possible, high-sided vehicles on exposed roads could be affected and coastal roads could be inundated by high waves.

Shetland Islands Council said that due to the strong winds on Thursday, all schools would be closed, additional network engineers would be deployed to deal with possible power outages and disruption to inter-island ferry services was expected.

Danish authorities have named the low-pressure system “Storm Pia”, but it was believed that it would not be strong enough in the UK to receive an official name.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: “It's quite a wide wind warning area. Gusts are forecast at 45-55mph widely, with possibly 65-70mph east of the Tablelands in Scotland.

“The strongest winds are likely to be found in the north and north-east of Scotland, including the Northern Isles, with gusts of 70-80 mph in the morning.”

The Met Office forecast showers and wind, with more rain expected on Friday.

Looking ahead, Mr Dixon said there was a 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.