Four days of weather warnings have been issued across the UK as England, Scotland and Wales all prepare for snow, wind and rain.
Households across the country are being urged to take steps to prepare for the worst-case scenarios, with travel disruption and power cuts possible due to the extreme weather conditions.
The Met Office has issued a more serious amber weather warning for heavy rain for parts of Scotland today, while parts of England and Wales face separate yellow warnings for wind, rain and snow.
More warnings follow on Wednesday and Thursday, making four days of warnings this week.
In its amber weather warning advice, the Met Office said: “Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
“Homes and businesses may be flooded, causing damage to some buildings. Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely”.
The Met Office forecast says: “After a brief lull during Monday afternoon, another period of heavy rain is expected to develop during Monday night and persist through Tuesday morning before turning to showers on Tuesday afternoon, giving another 50-70mm on top of what has already fallen. This is likely to lead to significant travel disruption and may result in some flooding of properties.
“Yellow rain and snow warnings will continue to be in force after the expiry of this warning.”
The forecaster is urging homes in the amber warning area, in parts of central Scotland in particular, to be prepared and to buy a torch and batteries as well as other key items like prescription medicines and a first aid kit.
It said: “Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business. In your flood kit have: insurance and any other important documents; a torch and spare batteries; a first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets; and warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water.”
“Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know, including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support with food and medical supplies. If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111.”
If your power goes out, switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.
Leave a light on, so you know when the power cut has been fixed.
Check to see if your neighbours are safe and if they have a power cut, too. If they have power, your trip switch may have been activated.
If you experience a power cut, you shouldn’t call your energy supplier or call 999; the number to ring is 105.
Though the most seriously affected area is central Scotland, power cuts and travel disruption could also hit the north of England today, including Yorkshire, Lancashire and the north East, as well as the south of England, London, and Wales on New Year’s Day. Areas affected on New Year’s Day include London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, all of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall and all of Wales.
For New Year’s Day, the Met Office said: “There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
“There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties. There is a small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected.
“Strong southwesterly winds are expected overnight and during Wednesday. The strongest winds are expected across coastal regions in the west and south of the warning area, where gusts of 65-75 mph are possible. Inland, highest gusts will typically be between 45 and 55 mph, but possibly 60 mph in places, particularly in association with the passage of squally cold front which will bring a band of heavy rain southwards. The wind is expected to ease quickly from the north through the course of the day as this cold front passes.”