Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “The strongest gusts are likely to be felt across parts of Northern Ireland, northern England, north-western Wales and western Scotland, where exposed sites could get gusts in excess of 80mph, which has the potential to cause impacts for those in these areas.

The Met Office yellow alert came into force at midnight and runs until 11.59pm tonight. Wind gusts could be up to 54mph in the early hours accompanied by heavy rain and the alert warns of a 'danger to life' from flying debris.