UK weather: Tornado warning issued as Brits face 75mph galeforce winds before New Year’s Eve celebrations

BRITS are set to be battered with 75mph galeforce winds, flooding, snow and ice as New Year's Eve revellers see their plans squashed.

The Met Office issued seven yellow warnings today covering much of the UK amid tornado alerts across England and Wales.

A statement from the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) was shared on X, which reads: "TORRO Convective Discussion 2023/020 issued valid until 0600 GMT Sunday 31st December 2023."

Hazards include "wind gusts to 60-70mph", "occasional CG lightning", "hail" and "isolated tornadoes".

Areas affected include northern England, the Midlands, East Anglia, southern England, Wales, and the Channel Islands.

It comes just days after a localised tornado tore through Manchester on Wednesday night.

The "supercell thunderstorm" destroyed 100 homes and sparked evacuations as Storm Gerrit caused widespread damage.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers have already felt the full affect of current storms with major Eurostar travel disruption squashing New Year's Eve plans this morning.

The company scrapped all services to and from St Pancras following flooding in tunnels near Ebbsfleet International.

A yellow weather warning for wind is currently in place from 11am today until 3am tomorrow which covers the entire south coast, reaching as far up as Norwich in the east and most of Wales.

The Met Office stated: "A spell of strong and gusty winds will move east across England and Wales, bringing some disruption to travel and services."

There could be "gusts of 45-50 mph widely" but the strongest gales are "likely near coasts in the west and south, with 65-75 mph in places", the warning added.

Those affected can expect likely "delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport" while coastal routes and areas could be lashed by "spray and/or large waves".

Anyone travelling on public transport has been warned of likely delays and those in high-sided vehicles have been urged to be careful on exposed routs and bridges.

There is also a possibility of power cuts and service shortages amid the stormy conditions.

Met Office Meteorologist Alex Burkill said in a forecast video: "In the south it is going to be relatively mild with highs of around 11C or 12C but with the wind, the rain and the cloud it will be feeling feel pretty unpleasant at times and colder further north, with temperatures here suppressed into mid-single figures.

"Later on Saturday we are going to see the rain and the snow across Scotland, or at least the worst of it, clearing away towards the north east and also that band of rain further south pushing eastwards across parts of England could still be pretty heavy at times - so watch out for that."

In Wales, there's a further yellow weather warning for rain in force from 10am this morning until 6pm.

"Heavy rain may lead to some flooding and transport disruption," stated the Met Office.

The forecast predicts "possible" flooding of a few homes and businesses, as well as more travel chaos and loss of power.

A further alert for rain and snow from 8am until midnight covers the majority of Scotland as up to 25mm of rain is predicted to fall at lower levels.

It is expected temperatures could plummet to -9C degrees in certain areas.

Met Office meteorologist Alex added northern areas are likely to see "significant snow", with possibly 10 to 20cm on the highest ground.

He explained: "As that rain hits the cold air across Scotland, I am expecting some significant snow, particularly over higher ground we could see in excess of 10cm of snow lying and, even to lower levels, some slushy snow is possible.

"This could cause some problems particularly on the roads.

"Elsewhere it is the rain and the strong winds we need to watch out for.

"Heavy rain across parts of Wales and strong gales likely around southern, south-western coastal parts in particular - so a pretty unsettled day."

Three alerts have ended today including a yellow weather warning for ice across the north and north west of Scotland that was in force until 10am.

Meanwhile, in the south of Scotland meteorologists issued a yellow warning for rain and snow that was active until 3pm this afternoon.

In Northern Ireland, an alert for rain was terminated at 11am.

It comes as ten million are expected to hit the roads today as revellers prepare for New Year's Eve celebrations.

Stormy conditions have also sparked gridlock warnings for the M1, M25 and M4-M5 interchange in Bristol.

And, fierce winds in the South, East Anglia and Wales could also cause mayhem for flights and ferries.

Meanwhile, a total of 32 flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency covering parts of the River Ouse and the River Severn.

Photographs show Worcester Racecourse completely submerged under floodwater this morning after the River Severn burst its banks.

In York, flooding wreaked havoc after several homes and businesses, including The Kings Arms pub, were flooded after water rose above four metres when the River Ouse burst its banks.

Those in the village of Mepal, in Cambridgeshire, also woke up to find surrounding fields under water this morning after the New Bedford River flooded.

A further 97 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, have also been put in place. 

On Sunday, stormy conditions will continue in the far northeast of Scotland however the yellow weather warnings are lifted.

"Blustery showers" are forecast across much of the UK, while temperatures expected to be "nearer to normal".

Next week, the Met Office predicts more "unsettled" weather.

"Remaining unsettled and often windy into the New Year with showers or longer spells of rain. Generally mild in the south, but temperatures around average elsewhere with overnight frosts," the long range forecast states.

This comes as Storm Gerrit saw thousands of Brits' holiday plans squashed earlier this week.

Heavy rain sparked a major incident on the A9 in the Scottish Highlands as emergency services battled "severe conditions".

Meanwhile at least eighteen British Airways flights due in and out of Heathrow were axed as 70mph winds, heavy rain and snow hit the UK.

And, motorists were warned of potentially hazardous conditions on their way home from Christmas festivities amid bridge and road closures due to fierce winds.

The arrival of Storm Gerrit has made 2023 one of the wettest years for England and Northern Ireland on record for parts of the UK, according to the Met Office.