The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for damaging winds across much of the UK, with gusts of up to 60mph threatening power cuts and travel chaos over the next 37 hours.
The warnings, which began Thursday morning and run until Friday evening, cover the entirety of Wales, most of England from Cornwall to Northumberland, and coastal areas of Northern Ireland and southern Scotland. Forecasters expect inland gusts of 50-60mph, with exposed coastal areas facing even stronger winds.
Transport networks face significant disruption, with delays expected to road, rail, air and ferry services. The Met Office warns of potential damage to buildings, including tiles being blown from roofs, whilst falling trees and branches could knock out power supplies to homes and businesses.
Coastal communities are being urged to prepare for spray and large waves, with some routes potentially impassable. The public has been advised to secure garden furniture, trampolines and other loose outdoor items that could become dangerous projectiles.
Major cities across England from London to Newcastle fall within the warning zone, alongside rural areas particularly vulnerable to the prolonged period of high winds. In Scotland, the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway regions are most at risk.
Despite mild temperatures of 8-12°C for the time of year, the wind chill will make conditions feel considerably colder. The Met Office is urging residents to monitor forecasts regularly as conditions may change rapidly throughout the warning period.