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Amber wind warning issued as Storm Dave set to hit parts of UK

An amber wind warning has been issued for Saturday evening as Storm Dave is expected to bring "disruptive and potentially damaging winds" to parts of the UK. The warning, covering northern England, north-west Wales and southern Scotland, will begin at 19:00 BST and is due to expire at 03:00 on Sunday. The Met Office said injuries or danger to life could occur as a result of flying debris, with potential travel disruption and a "good chance" of power cuts. A series of yellow wind and snow warnings are set to take effect on Saturday afternoon as the country braces for a blustery Easter weekend. Gusts of 60-70mph are possible in some parts of the UK, with some coastal and exposed locations predicted to reach 80mph, the Met Office added. People are being advised to stay indoors as much as possible, and check for loose items outside that need securing ahead of the warnings coming into effect. RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "We recommend taking extra care on exposed, higher routes and being especially cautious when overtaking high‑sided vehicles, as the buffeting effect can catch some people out. " Storm Dave is set to sweep across the UK from west to east overnight on Saturday, driving the wet and windy weather. Met Office chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer said "people should be prepared for impacts with disruption to travel likely and possible power cuts". "Wind speeds will peak at different times as the deep area of low pressure moves across the north of the UK, with peak gusts in Northern Ireland expected earlier on Saturday afternoon before spreading more widely across the north of the UK," he added. Up to 30cm of snow could fall in Scotland, the Met Office said, with "strong wind blizzards and drifting snow" likely to be a hazard. ScotRail has advised passengers to check their journeys before travelling, while National Highways said people should plan ahead and adjust when they hope to travel. In total, the six separate warnings are: Winds are set to ease on Sunday with a calmer Easter Monday predicted. It is the second storm of the year, following on from Storm Chandra which hit the UK in late January.