London is set for torrential rain and blustery winds as Storm Barbara hits the UK over the Christmas period.
Heavy rain and gusts are forecast for the capital and across southern and eastern parts of the UK on Friday.
But forecasters said conditions in the area were set to improve on Saturday and Sunday.
Parts of Britain face being battered by torrential downpours and gale-force winds when Storm Barbara – the UK’s second storm of the season – hits on Friday.
Forecasters have predicted winds of up to 90mph will gust through northern and western parts of Scotland, including Inverness and Fort William, on Friday and have issued an amber "be prepared" weather warning.
A Met Office spokesman said: "Travel disruptions will affect people travelling within the yellow and amber warning area as major disruption to bridges and travel networks is expected."
The unsettled weather is expected to hit travel networks including rail, road and air services.
Chris Tubbs, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Storm Barbara is forecast to form in the west Atlantic on Wednesday and will pass close to the north-west of the UK during Friday, bringing very strong winds and heavy rain.
"This brings the potential for some structural damage, disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries likely."
The Met Office has warned that winds will reach high speeds from noon on Friday to 6am on Saturday morning in northern Scotland.
The Christmas Day storm is forecast to be the biggest to hit the UK for more than a year, as it threatens to top winds from Storm Angus in November.
The Met Office also said it could not rule out a white Christmas - but added that it was unlikely.
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