UK weather: Winds of up to 70mph to hit Northern Ireland, Wales and southern England with risk of snow further north
Winds gusting at speeds of up to 70mph are forecast to sweep across the UK.
The wet and wintry weather will bring a chilly start to Wednesday with sunshine and showers that may turn heavy and thundery.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind. One covers Northern Ireland, while the other is in force for the entire south coast of England, much of the South East, most of the South West and a large part of southern and western Wales.
The warnings, which urge the public to be wary of “likely” travel disruption and possible power cuts, are in place until 8pm on Wednesday.
Strong winds with severe coastal gales could hit the south and west, with the forecaster saying: “West or north-west winds are expected to increase during Wednesday morning, then remain strong for much of the day.
“Gusts of 40-50mph are expected widely within the warning area, but some coastal areas, especially in parts of south and west Wales and Cornwall, could see gusts above 60-70mph during Wednesday morning.
“Outbreaks of heavy rain or showers will accompany the strong winds.”
A blast of cold air into Wednesday morning could even see an “increasing risk of snow over the higher ground for parts of the UK, especially in the north”, the forecaster added.
People have been warned to expect difficult travel conditions.
Parts of Northern Ireland may have to deal with gusts of 45-50mph at times inland and 60mph along northern coasts by Wednesday afternoon.
The wild weather will hit Northern Ireland while the US president, Joe Biden, is visiting to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The strong winds, low temperatures and heavy rain or showers being felt in many places are down to an Atlantic low-pressure system slowly moving eastwards across the UK.
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Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said snow is likely to fall over parts of upland Scotland overnight into Wednesday.
He added: “Some disruption due to strong winds is likely on Wednesday, especially in southern and western areas, as well as the potential for heavy rainfall and even some snow, though the latter probably confined to high ground in the north.
“It will be another cool day with temperatures of 7C to 10C in the west, with 11C to 13C possible in the southeast. However, it will feel colder in the strong winds.”
The grip of the unsettled conditions is expected to last for the rest of the week, with sunshine and heavy showers for many on Thursday and persistent rain in the south on Friday.
It will then become drier and brighter into the weekend, while temperatures may start to rise next week, according to forecasters.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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