Northern Ireland could be hit by 55mph winds today ... while a ‘technical’ white Christmas still a possibility

An area of low pressure well to the north of the UK will bring winds of 70-80mph in northern Scotland, 65-70mph on high ground, and 45-55mph elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Scotland, North Wales and England north from Birmingham as well as the top half of East Anglia.

The yellow wind warning began at midnight and lasts until 9pm today, meaning travel disruption is likely, power cuts are possible, high-sided vehicles could be affected on exposed roads and coastal routes could be sprayed by high waves.

The low pressure system has been named Storm Pia by the Danish authorities, but it was not expected to be severe enough in the UK to warrant being officially named.

Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesperson, said: “It is quite a wide wind warning area. Gusts are forecast quite widely to be 45-55mph, possibly 65-70mph to the east of high ground in Scotland.

“The strongest winds are likely to be found in the north and north east of Scotland including the Northern Isles, with 70-80mph in the morning.”

The Met Office forecast showers along with the wind, with more rain expected tomorrow.

Looking ahead, Mr Dixon said there was the possibility of snow on Christmas Day but only in the far north of Scotland.

The Met Office had previously said a ‘technical’ white Christmas was still a possibility for Northern Ireland.

“In the run up to Christmas it will probably turn a bit colder, most likely later on Saturday and into Christmas Eve [Sunday] will see a northerly wind developing so we could see a few wintry showers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for Northern Ireland,” a spokesman told the News Letter.

“So there is a chance of a white Christmas. However we only need a single snowflake to fall for a technical white Christmas to be declared and I wouldn't expect there to be widespread lying snow.”

There may well be a covering of snow lying on higher grounds such as the Mournes or Sperrins.

It will be a brief cold spell and after Christmas Day it will probably turn much milder, the spokesman added.