Time to dig out your wellies and big coat because winter has well and truly arrived. Hurricane level gale force winds of up to 80mph are set to crash through Britain Thursday as Storm Diana sweeps across the country and the Met Office has issued several weather warnings covering most of the country as a precaution.
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.
The Met Office warned that all parts of England except the south-east and East Anglia could be struck by "widespread strong winds" reaching hurricane-like speeds of up to 80mph.
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They also advised that up to 35mm of rain could fall in parts of Scotland within six hours. However while the heaviest rainfall is predicted to hit Scotland, forecasters also warned an inch of rain likely to hit south-west England and Wales.
Issuing a weather warning for a large area of the north and south-west of England, the Met Office commented: "Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely with some journeys taking longer."
Britons should expect delays to road journeys with road and bridge closures predicted. Advising drivers to be careful the Met Office tweeted: "There's some nasty driving conditions in places for this morning's commute, with outbreaks of heavy rain combined with strong to gale force winds."
Rail, air and ferry transport will also likely be affected by the powerful storm. Reports of fallen trees have already come in and the strong winds could knock down power cables and bring delays to rail services across the entire country during the chaos.
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The Met Office warned: "There is the chance of some cancellations as well as some road and bridge closures. Some short term loss of power and other services is possible."
Along the coastline the Met Office warned of a "small chance" of injuries from large waves and beach material being hurled onto beaches, coastal roads and buildings.
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If the weather system intensifies gusts of between 70 and 80mph may sweep across large parts of England, affecting exposed and coastal regions in particular.
Yellow warnings for wind and rain, which have expanded eastwards according to the latest forecast, are expected to be lifted by 2pm today with less ferocious but equally miserable weather expected this evening. Don't put away your umbrella just yet.
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