Yellow weather warnings blanket UK as powerful winds trigger 'danger to life' alert

The Met Office has issued a huge array of new yellow warnings for the UK as forecasters predict the heavy rain will turn into gale-force gusts of wind for much of the country.

The rainy trend of the last few days that has seen vast areas of the country inundated with inches of water is expected to subside today, with Britons to spend the rest of the week being pummelled by winds reaching speeds of 70mph.

The "windy period" will send blasts of cold air over the country on Friday, with people to see some calm on Saturday before the wind picks up again next week.

The warning for Sunday states: "A windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of , Northern Ireland, Northwest England and North West Wales there is an increased chance of some disruption.

"Initially a period of strong south to southeasterly winds will likely develop through Sunday morning, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible in some inland areas, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60 to 70 mph along exposed coasts and hills. Winds will then likely turn southwesterly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland where gusts could potentially reach 70-80 mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55 to 65 mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides may cause some disruption."

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