Weather warning as gales and snow drift in

PARTS of Britain are set for an early taste of winter as high winds sweep in and temperatures plunge.

The Met Office last night issued severe weather warnings for much of northern England and Scotland with gusts of up to 50mph forecast.

Coastal areas have been put on alert for “large waves” and meteorologists warned transport links could be disrupted.

Chief forecaster Eddy Carroll said: “While such wind gusts would not be unusual in the autumn and winter, they are likely to pose a few more problems coming in the summer holiday period, especially for those engaged in outdoor activities such as sailing or hillwalking.

“Some minor disruption to transport is possible, for example delays to ferries, bridge restrictions and perhaps minor damage to trees.”

The blustery and wet conditions are set to continue into the start of the week, with yellow “be aware” warnings for wind also in place for today.

The mercury is also set to fall well below the average for late summer and there is even the possibility of some frost on the ground during the week.

Calum Maccoll, a Met Office spokesman, said there is a “very autumnal” and “unseasonably cool” feel to the conditions in northern areas.

He said overnight temperatures in some areas of Scotland could fall close to zero later in the week, adding: “You could see... grass frost towards dawn.”

He said higher areas of Scotland could see snow later this week as the low pressure sends a cold north-westerly wind across much of the country.

Areas above 1,300 metres, such as the Cairngorms and the Munros in the north-west Highlands, could see smatterings of the white stuff – the arrival of which would be a earlier than last year when it began falling in September.

Blustery conditions that began this weekend are expected to continue in coastal areas.