Severe wind warning for far north of Scotland

A warning of severe Christmas Day winds has been issued for the far north of Scotland, with gusts of 80mph to 90mph across the Northern Isles.

The Met Office warned of a risk that gusts could reach up to 100mph in the north of Shetland.

Parts of northern Scotland and the north of the Western Isles could see gusts of 70mph to 80mph.

The Met Office issued an amber alert for the area from this morning until around 9pm.

It said the public should be prepared for the risk of disruption to transport and power, and possible structural damage.

Across the country, temperatures of between 11C (51.8F) and 14C (57.2F) have dashed hopes of a white Christmas.

It leaves temperatures close to the warmest on record for this time of year, registered when the mercury hit 15.6C (60F) on December 25 in 1896 and 1920.

Aisling Creevey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “Christmas Day will be mild and windy.

“Temperatures could reach 14C in eastern areas, with 14C forecast in Aberdeen and Middlesbrough.

“Wales might see 14C too, and London could see 13C (55.4F).

“Everywhere in the UK will be between 11C and 14C.

“It’s unseasonably mild this year and a white Christmas is highly unlikely.”