Winds top more than 100mph as Storm Bella gives way to ice and snow

Winds reached more than 100mph overnight as Storm Bella brought rain and blowy conditions across the UK.

A man walks through the snow in Killin, Stirlingshire

The top wind speed was recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight where it reached 106mph overnight on Saturday.

Snow and sleet is a possibility in Scotland from this morning, Sunday, and will move south throughout the day, bringing the risk of ice and bad driving conditions.

Further into the week and towards the New Year conditions will remain cold with sunshine and the possibility of wintry showers, the Met Office said.

Fire crews in north Yorkshire rescued a number of people from vehicles stranded in floodwater overnight last night.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said they used a boat to rescue two men and two dogs from a vehicle stuck in flowing floodwater in Hawes at 12.37am on Sunday.

In Aysgarth, a man and a woman were also rescued by boat from the roof of their car at 2.40am after they drove into deep floodwater.

The disruption continued into this morning when flooding on the tracks caused cancellations and delays.

All trains between Bournemouth and Southampton Central were stopped due to water on the line, Great Western Railway said, and one of the major lines into London was also

blocked when a tree fell onto the tracks in Haslemere, Surrey.

The Welsh Grand National has also been “abandoned” thanks to Storm Bella as part of the course is waterlogged after heavy rain overnight.

Two severe flood warnings indicating a potential threat to life are still in place at Cogenhoe Mill caravan site near Northampton and on the River Nene near Billing Aquadrome on Sunday morning.

12 weather warnings have been issued in Scotland, a further 88 have been issued in England and six in Wales.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning with communities from Cornwall to Kent told to expect building damage and the possibility of flying debris in the stormy conditions.

On Saturday evening a gust of 83mph was recorded at Aberdaron in north Wales, with further yellow weather warnings for wind and rain in place across England, Wales, Northern

Ireland and northern Scotland into Sunday indicating 60mph winds are likely across the country, according to the Met Office.

Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and parts of northern England are also subject to a yellow warning for snow and ice from Sunday night into Monday, with a band of rain, sleet and snow forecast and accumulations of 1-3cm are possible.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to check Government advice, such as from the Environment Agency, who have asked people to keep away from “swollen rivers and flooded land”.

A statement on their website said: “It is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

As well as the stormy conditions, temperatures will stay frosty in some parts into next week, leading health professionals to offer advice on how to keep safe in colder weather.

Dr Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, consultant in public health at Public Health England said: “Heat your home to at least 18C if you can, particularly if you have reduced mobility, are 65

and over, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease.”

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