Met Office issues 'danger to life' weather warning as 49 areas face travel chaos

A "danger to life" weather warning has been issued across 49 areas in the UK as ferocious winds are likely to cause major disruption, the Met Office has said.

The yellow weather warning, in place from 8pm on Sunday until 6pm the following day, urges Brits to check for any loose items around their homes and secure them to avoid injury. "There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris," the Met Office warned.

Those in the affected regions can also expect damage to buildings, spray or large waves in coastal towns and travel chaos, with a chance roads and bridges could close. Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

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The Met Office said: "An area of low pressure will bring a prolonged spell of windy weather through Sunday evening and into Monday. Gusts of around 50-60 mph are likely around coasts and hills, with 70-80 mph possible in the most exposed locations, with the windiest conditions expected on Monday morning and moving eastwards as the day progresses."

Brits in the warning zone are being advised to prepare ahead of time by securing loose items outside their homes, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines and sheds, to protect their properties and themselves from injury. Anyone at risk of power cuts should meanwhile gather torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items in the event of a blackout.

In its guidance on staying safe during a storm, the Met Office says: "Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees [...] Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary."

Regions and local authorities affected

London & South East England

• Brighton and Hove
• East Sussex
• Hampshire
• Isle of Wight
• Kent
• Portsmouth
• Southampton
• Surrey
• West Sussex

North West England

• Blackpool
• Cheshire West and Chester
• Halton
• Lancashire
• Merseyside

South West England

• Bath and North East Somerset
• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
• Bristol
• Cornwall
• Devon
• Dorset
• Gloucestershire
• Isles of Scilly
• North Somerset
• Plymouth
• Somerset
• South Gloucestershire
• Torbay
• Wiltshire

Wales

• Blaenau Gwent
• Bridgend
• Caerphilly
• Cardiff
• Carmarthenshire
• Ceredigion
• Conwy
• Denbighshire
• Flintshire
• Gwynedd
• Isle of Anglesey
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Monmouthshire
• Neath Port Talbot
• Newport
• Pembrokeshire
• Powys
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Swansea
• Torfaen
• Vale of Glamorgan