Met Office issues nine weather warnings as TRIPLE THREAT hits Britain

The UK will be struck with a deluge of snow, wind and rain today and into tomorrow with vast swathes of the country told to be on alert.

Wind warnings are in place for the south of England and across the English Channel coast as well as parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles.

Rain warnings are in place for the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Highlands have been urged to prepare for the impact caused by snow.

The Met Office warned “heavy rain and snow associated with Storm Gerrit may result in disruption, potentially affecting, for example, travel and power supplies”.

Meteorologists said that the was a chance of power cuts and that mobile phone signal coverage could be impacted.

Significant travel disruption is expected on roads, trains and those planning to use the ferry transport.

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “Due to the extent of the warnings that are being issued, it was deemed that a named storm would be a good idea because it will highlight to the public the risk associated, particularly as today is likely to be quite a busy day on the roads with people travelling back home from Christmas and things like that.”

He added: “There are wind warnings out for the south of England, across the English Channel coast.

“But we also have wind warnings in force for parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles.”

Only the central section of the UK does not have a wind warning.

While most of the weather warnings are set to expire by the end of today, two remain in place for tomorrow.

Orkney & Shetland remain on a yellow weather warning for snow and wind on Thursday and Wales for wind until 6am.