Forecasters are warning that Storm Dave will hit the UK hard later today – bringing gale force winds as millions travel for the Easter break.

Four yellow weather warnings from the Met Office will come into force this afternoon:

• An alert for wind covering northern England and part of Wales is active from 5pm until 7am tomorrow

• A separate warning for wind across the whole of Northern Ireland is in place from 2pm until 3am

• The whole of mainland Scotland also faces a yellow warning for wind from 6pm until 12pm tomorrow

• A yellow alert for rain and snow applies to the Scottish Highlands between 3pm and 6am

Storm Dave will be at its worst today, but will weaken tomorrow as it moves into the North Sea.

Travel disruption on the roads – as well as on rail, air and ferry services – is possible.

Large waves could cause dangerous conditions along the coastline, and there could be 90mph gusts in exposed areas.

The Met Office’s forecast says: “While some uncertainty remains in the exact track and shape of Storm Dave, a spell of strong southwesterly winds is expected.

“Gusts of 50mph to 60mph are expected fairly widely, with 60mph to 70mph in more exposed locations.”

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Some areas could also experience power cuts – with “injuries and danger to life from flying debris possible”.

Earlier this week, the RAC predicted that it could be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022 – with ABTA estimates indicating two million people were planning to travel abroad.

In Scotland, Network Rail has warned that the East Coast Main Line and services on the Ayrshire coast could be most affected by the extreme weather.