Storm Dave will bring "danger to life" conditions across Britain today, with winds reaching 80mph and torrential rain threatening widespread disruption and power cuts.
The Met Office has issued its most severe weather warnings for large swathes of the UK, with the North West of England facing the worst conditions. Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cumbria will bear the brunt of winds gusting up to 80mph on exposed coasts and higher ground, whilst inland areas face 60mph gusts.
The combination of fierce winds and heavy rainfall poses serious risks of flying debris, building damage, and widespread blackouts. Localised flooding is likely across the North, particularly in areas already waterlogged from recent downpours.
Scotland's central belt and southern regions face similar conditions, with coastal communities in the west warned to stay away from seafronts as large waves threaten to overtop sea defences. Northern Ireland will also see strong winds and heavy rain causing travel chaos.
Western and northern Wales are included in the warnings, with exposed coastal areas facing transport disruption including ferry cancellations. Ferry services across the Irish Sea are expected to be severely affected.
Despite relatively mild temperatures of 8-12C, the wind-chill will make conditions feel much colder. The Met Office is urging people to secure garden furniture, trampolines, and anything that could become airborne.
"People must avoid coastal paths and piers during the storm due to the risk of being swept away by large waves," meteorologists warned.
Rail and bus services face likely delays or cancellations, whilst roads will see restrictions for high-sided vehicles. Power companies are on standby for outages, advising residents to report interruptions immediately and stay clear of fallen power lines.