Storm Dave set to batter UK with gales and blizzards over Easter weekend

Storm Dave has been named by the Met Office and threatens to bring severe gales and blizzards in the north of the UK over the Easter weekend.

Yellow warnings for wind and snow have been issued for Saturday night and Sunday with a deep area of low pressure expected to pass across the north-west of the country.

Damage, power cuts and travel disruption are likely.

It is just one part of a very mixed Easter forecast which will bring heavy downpours alongside spells of warm sunshine.

Huge temperature contrasts across the USA and Canada have helped to supercharge the jet stream - the flow of strong winds high in the atmosphere that spins up weather systems and guides them around the globe.

And confidence is growing that this will propel a deep area of low pressure towards the UK on Saturday.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind covering all of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as large swathes of northern England and north Wales.

The warnings are valid at various times on Saturday afternoon, overnight and into Sunday.

Widespread gusts of 50-60mph (80-97km/h) are expected with the chance of 70mph (113km/h) gusts in exposed areas, especially around coasts.

Central and northern parts of Scotland could see winds peaking at 80-90mph (129-144km/h) with large waves bringing dangerous conditions along the coasts.

Winds as strong as these bring the threat of damage, power cuts and significant travel disruption.

Some roads and bridges could close, which could have major impacts on what is predicted to be the busiest Easter in four years for drivers.

Disruption to train and ferry services is also possible.

A Met Office warning for snow has also been issued for parts of north-west Scotland during Saturday evening and overnight.

5-10cm (2-4in) of snow may accumulate, mainly over high ground above 200m (650ft) elevation, with a small chance of 20cm (8in) in a few locations.

Coupled with the strong winds this could give blizzards, drifting and blowing snow, and very poor visibility on the roads.

Storm Dave is just one part of a weather story that will bring a real variety of conditions across the UK over the long weekend.

Good Friday will start mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain.

Many parts of England and Wales will hold on to grey and damp weather for much of the day but in Northern Ireland and Scotland some sunny spells should develop - albeit with a scattering of showers.

It will be fairly windy with a wide range of temperatures - from 7C (45F) in northern Scotland to 15C (59F) in eastern England.

A band of cloud and rain will move northwards across the country on Saturday - turning to snow over Scottish mountains - with a few sunny spells either side of this zone of wet weather.

Winds will strengthen through the day ahead of Storm Dave's arrival.

Easter Sunday will be a day of big weather contrasts as the storm begins to loosen its grip.

Strong winds will continue to blow across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, bringing a chilly feel and frequent showers.

Some of these will be wintry over hills and mountains but snow is even possible at low levels in the north of Scotland for a time.

Further south it will be breezy with a few showers, but for large swathes of Wales and southern England it should be predominantly dry with sunny spells.

As winds ease on Sunday night things will get cold with a touch of frost developing in many areas.

However after a cold start to Monday temperatures will climb through the day thanks to southerly winds, reaching 11-17C (52-63F) by the afternoon.

Most areas will be dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells, which is expected to bring high or very high pollen levels.

UV levels expected to peak at moderate in the sunniest spots.

Beyond the Easter weekend the forecast looks rather changeable with warmth likely to give way to April showers and perhaps more strong winds - although computer weather models disagree on the details.

You can always keep up-to-date with the longer range prospects with our monthly outlook.