Storm Barbara: Christmas travellers warned to prepare for disruption

The storm is due to roll in to the UK by Friday

People travelling home for Christmas are being warned to expect disruption from Storm Barbara later this week.

The storm is due to roll in to the UK by Friday.

Scotland is expected to be the worst-hit, with winds of up to 90mph in places.

Pockets of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England are also due to feel Barbara's force.

The worst of any destruction is expected between Friday evening and the morning of Christmas eve, but the potential for structural damage and disruption to some transport services means the impact could be felt long after the winds have subsided.

The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" warnings for the north and west of Scotland on Friday and Saturday.

Grahame Madge, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "The most intense winds will be in Glasgow, Inverness, and the north and west of Scotland.

"But the whole of northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland could also be affected.

"We are expecting gusts of around 80mph widespread within the amber warning area, up to 90mph in places."

He added: "We have had the good fortune to be able to issue the weather warnings ahead of Storm Barbara coming, with plenty of time hopefully for people to change their plans if they need to.

"But the nature of the storm means it still has the potential to have an impact on power supplies, structures, and disrupt bridge and ferry crossings."

Barbara follows Angus in being only the second name designated this season, which began on 1 October.

Storms are only named when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK or Ireland.

Additional reporting by agencies