UK weather: Storm Katie set to bring Easter bank holiday weekend washout with gales and torrential rain

The Met Office has issued severe weather alerts warning of possible disruption for millions of travellers

The weather is set to put a dampener on Easter holidays around the UK (Getty Images)

Britain is set to be battered by torrential rain and gale-force winds as an approaching storm turns the Easter weekend into a washout.

Severe weather warnings are in place for England and Wales over Saturday, with forecasters saying gusts of up to 60mph could cause damage and disruption on railways and roads.

The weather is expected to calm slightly on Sunday before Storm Katie hits southern areas in the early hours of Monday morning.

A yellow alert is in place for high winds, which may reach 70mph in coastal parts lashed by high waves and heavy rain.

The Met Office warned of potential disruption to outdoor events and travel, as well as the possibility of fallen trees and power lines.

Frank Saunders, the chief operational meteorologist, said there was “currently some uncertainty about the track that Storm Katie will take”.

"Southern England and south Wales will see very strong winds from the early hours of Monday morning,” he added.

Details of weather warnings for Saturday 26 March 2016 (Met Office)

"There is the potential for gusts of 50-60mph in inland areas. Exposed south and west-facing coasts could even see gusts of around 70mph, with the possibility of large waves.

"We expect the winds will start to ease in south-western Britain from mid-morning, this improvement reaching other areas by late afternoon or early evening.”

Rain was spreading south from Northern Ireland and Scotland on Saturday, with “heavy bursts” expected for most of the UK.

Strong winds are set to make it a blustery day, with gusts of 55mph expected in some areas, rising to 65mph by the sea.

The Met Office's yellow warning of wind, which covers most of England and Wales but not Scotland and Northern Ireland, also advises the estimated six million people expected to travel over the weekend to be aware of possible disruption to their journeys.

Easter Sunday is forecast to be brighter, with some sunny spells, but the showers are set to continue, with potentially hail and thunder in some parts, the Met Office said.

The worsening weather comes after a dry, warm and sunny Good Friday for much of the country.

But bookmakers are now taking bets on Easter being the wettest since records began, slashing odds from 2-1 from 4-1 over the past two days.

Additional reporting by PA