UK weather forecast: Britain braces for strong wind and heavy rain as Storm Diana moves in

Met Office has a string of yellow-level warnings in place

Britain should brace for the weather to turn windy and even wetter in midweek as rains linked to Storm Diana lash the country, forecasters have warned.

A string of yellow-level warnings are in place, with the Met Office predicting delays on public transport as elements of the storm – currently sitting over the Azores – mix with low pressure close to the UK.

Western English coastal regions, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland are on alert for high winds with gusts up to 70mph causing potential difficulties for high-sided vehicles. Northeast Scotland could also see very heavy rain and some flooding.

However, the weather is not expected to be so bad that people cannot go about their day, as long as they are sensible, forecasters said.

Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna told The Independent that people should "avoid coastal exposed areas" like cliffs.

He added: "Around the coast we’re looking at 60mph to 70mph gusts. There will be large waves as well.”

Ireland had already been hit by strong winds and rain, with all cargo terminals at Dublin port temporarily put out of action.

And in southeast England, heavy fog disrupted dozens of flights to and from London airports, affecting tens of thousands of passengers.

In its warnings, the Met Office said: Forecasters said: “A very unsettled spell of weather is expected, with strong winds, combined with widespread and in places heavy rain. Winds are expected to increase from the far southwest early on Wednesday, spreading northeast, with areas adjacent to the Irish Sea most exposed to the south to southeasterly wind.

“Wind gusts of 60 mph are expected, with a few more exposed locations seeing 70 mph gusts. Winds will also turn west to southwesterly across Northern Ireland and western Scotland later, transferring the main focus for strong winds here, then finally to northern Scotland through the evening.

“The strong winds will also bring some rough seas and large waves, with some coastal impacts possible. Winds will moderate across the south of the warning area by evening and then across remaining parts overnight.”

It will be wet as well as windy, the Met Office said, adding: “Rain will become persistent and heavy at times across parts of northeastern Scotland on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Accumulations of up to 50 mm are likely on high ground. This will come on top of rainfall on Tuesday, and melting snow.”

Mr Petagna told The Independent that in more elevated regions, some fog may form during rainy spells overnight on Tuesday, but that it would quickly disappear once the weather turns truly wet.

And he said that from Friday, towards the weekend, the weather would turn colder with some clearer spells, though rain would still persist for some.

“It will brighten up but there will still be a lot of showers around.”