Storm Caroline latest: 90mph gales and snow set to hit Britain as Met Office issues amber warning

Forecasters warn of danger to life amid fears of flying debris

Storm Caroline is pummeling parts of the UK, with gales of up to 90mph and forecasters warning of a danger to life - and snow expected across huge swathes of the country.

The Met Office has issued an amber “be prepared” alert for the north of Scotland and warned that strong winds could lead to flying debris.

A yellow alert has also been issued for parts of central and southern Scotland and the north of Northern Ireland, where gusts of up to 70mph are expected.

The warnings, which are in place from 8am on Thursday morning until midnight, cover most of the Western Isles, the Northern Isles and most of mainland Scotland.

Steve Ramsdale, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, said: “The strongest winds will reach the northwest of Scotland early on Thursday, extending to northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles in the afternoon.

“During Thursday winds will start to ease in the west with the strongest of the winds becoming confined to the Northern Isles in the evening.”

With strong winds already picking up in the early hours of Thursday morning, train services in the north and west of Scotland have been cancelled.

Traffic Scotland has warned of potential disruption to drivers.

The Met Office has said damage to buildings is possible as well as short-term power loss and disruption to road, rail, air and ferry services. People in coastal areas should also be aware of large waves and spray.

As Storm Caroline moves away from the UK much colder air is expected to spread across the country down into England.

A yellow warning for snow has also been issued by the Met Office, with 2-5cm widely expected across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England.

The storm has already triggered an evacuation of workers from a North Sea oil rig.

Almost half of the 159 people working on CNR International’s Ninian South platform, about 240 miles off the coast of Aberdeen, were brought ashore.