Storm Barbara: Severe weather warning in place as gales up to 90mph set to batter UK

Travellers urged to review plans

Strong winds and rain are expected (Getty Images)

A severe weather warning has been issued in response to Storm Barbara, which is expected to batter much of the UK with gales of up to 90mph in the run up to Christmas.

Amber warnings – meaning ‘be prepared’ – are in place in for north-west Scotland from around midday Friday until around 6am on Christmas eve.

Gusts of up to 80mph are expected widely in the north, reaching 90mph in parts of north-west Scotland.

Yellow warnings – meaning ‘be aware’ – have been issued across northern England, Northern Ireland and all of Scotland.

From Wednesday, winds are expected to increase to 55 mph before strengthening.

The Met Office warned of the potential for disrupted travel and power supplies over the holiday period.

Forecasters urged people to review their travel plans in consideration of the poor weather.

The worst affected areas of Scotland could suffer some “structural damage”, the Met Office said, as well as restricted services on bridges and ferries.

Already, 21 of the 26 ferry routes run by ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne have been disrupted because of the heavy weather, with some cancellations.

The weather is expected to become calmer throughout 24 December.

Some snowfall has also been predicted for parts of the Highlands.