The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Much of the UK is set to be battered by Storm Diana winds today with the Met Office extending its weather warnings.

The storm will bring torrential downpours, gales that could touch hurricane force and giant waves that threaten travel chaos and damage to homes.

A so-called "double-vortex super-tempest" has most of the country under yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain which could lead to flooding.

Met Office forecasters have warned up to 35mm of rain could fall in just six hours over high ground in Scotland, while a vast swathe of the UK will be hit by "widespread strong winds" of about 80mph.

It will be a miserable commute, and Britons should expect delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport as the powerful storm - which has merged with another low-pressure system - poses a danger to life.

(Image: Met Office)

A wind warning is in place for all of Wales, most of England (except the south-east and East Anglia) and southern parts of Scotland until 2pm on Thursday as unsettled conditions move north-eastwards across the country.

The Met Office said there is a "small chance" of injuries from large waves and beach material being hurled onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

There were reports of fallen trees as forecasters warned of further power cuts after electricity was knocked out to more than 2,800 homes in Cornwall.

By 6am, gusts had already reached 74mph on the Isles of Scilly.

For Thursday, the Met Office warned: "Inland gusts of 50mph are likely with gusts of around 65mph in exposed locations around Wales and western England.

(Image: Getty Images)

"There remains a very small chance that this system will intensify as it moves northeastwards bringing even stronger winds to southwest England, Wales and on into northern England and southeast Scotland.

"If this occurs, gusts of 70-80mph could be seen, mainly in exposed locations.

"In either case, winds will moderate by late morning across western England and Wales, then by mid afternoon across northern England and southeast Scotland.

"Heavy rain is also likely to affect southern and western England as well as Wales, and following on from recent wet weather this may lead to some very localised surface water flooding."

The Met Office has issued a heavy rain warning for four of its regions in Scotland - Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, SW Scotland and Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde - until 2pm.

(Image: PA)

Forecasters warned: "Rain will become persistent and heavy again on Thursday morning and into the early afternoon, before clearing.

"Accumulations of 15-25mm are likely to fall in around six hours, with up to 35mm on higher ground."

Dozens of flood warnings or alerts have been issued across England and Scotland.

Storm Diana - named by Portugal's weather service - is merging with another low-pressure system from the Atlantic, touching off dangerous conditions that will persist in Friday.

The Express - calling it a "double-vortex super-tempest" - reports that a new cyclonic low - stretching 2,000 miles from France to Greenland - could become a named storm by the weekend.

(Image: Getty)

It said winds could touch hurricane-force over the next 24 hours.

Potentially damaging wind gusts of 100mph could lash exposed parts of the UK in the next couple of days, some forecasters say.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “Storm Diana will become engulfed by another low-pressure system in the Atlantic working its way towards the UK.

“Weather fronts associated with this will bring further wet and windy weather on Thursday, this may end up forming a completely new low-pressure system.

“On Friday this low, which has joined with Diana, will move towards Scotland, winds won’t be as strong as on Wednesday or Thursday but it will still be breezy.”

Thursday will stay mild, but it won't be enjoyable. Temperatures will start to cool off again on Friday and the weekend, with rain across much of the country.

Wednesday's turbulent weather led to flooding on coastal roads, power cuts affecting hundreds of homes, cancelled flights and delays on the roads.

Gusts of 90mph were recorded at Capel Curig in Snowdonia, Wales, while Keswick, Cumbria, saw 47.4mm of rain.

Met Office five-day forecast

Thursday

Rain moves northeastwards today accompanied by strong winds and gales, with severe gales for a time across exposed parts of the west and south.

Brighter conditions with showers follow later on, with the wind gradually easing.

Very mild.

Thursday night

Clear spells and blustery showers, these heaviest and most frequent in the west, and giving some more persistent rain in northwest Scotland.

Windy, with gales in the north and west.

Friday

Sunny spells and blustery showers, most frequent in the west and north with a risk of hail and thunder.

The driest, sunniest weather will be in the southeast.

Feeling cooler.

Saturday

Rain across southern and central parts Saturday, brighter in north with showers.

Sunday

Occasional rain lingers Sunday, but the far north remains brighter with showers.

Monday

Unsettled with showers or rain Monday.