Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption UK on alert for damaging winds

The UK is likely to be hit by strong winds across much of the country, the BBC Weather Centre has warned.

BBC meteorologist Susan Powell said a deep area of low pressure centred on the north of Scotland would bring "very challenging conditions".

She said the strongest of the winds would affect Scotland, particularly central and southern areas, with gusts possibly of over 80mph in some areas.

Travel is likely to be disrupted and structural damage is possible.

The Met Office has issued a red warning for wind in Scotland, indicating that a significant impact from the weather is expected.

Heavy snow turning to heavy rain is likely to cause problems for road users even before stormy conditions take hold.

Snow in higher parts of Scotland is also likely to make conditions wet, with up to 30mm of it likely to melt.

In addition to melting snow, up to 50mm of rain is expected in parts of Scotland.

Conditions will be wet and windy for the rest of the UK on Thursday.

Northern Ireland and northern England are likely to be hit by widespread gales, with areas to the east of the Pennines seeing some of the strongest gusts.

Ms Powell said that, where the remainder of England and Wales were concerned, the strongest winds would coincide with a band of heavy rain sweeping south.

The meteorologist said the Midlands and Wales potentially faced gusts of 50mph during the afternoon.

Southern and eastern England would face winds of this magnitude in the evening.

"Thursday will be a windy day right across the UK," said Ms Powell.

She added: "There will also be showers and potentially debris moving around, such as branches falling, so very poor travelling conditions.

"There will be very difficult conditions - particularly for high-sided vehicles."