Met Office tells Brits in 68 areas 'prepare' for Storm Floris with three items

Half of the UK has been told to brace for a summer stormwhich is due to batter the British Isles in a matter of days.

Storm Floris is due to deliver 85mph winds from Monday through to Tuesday morning - with the raging storm worst along exposed coasts and hills.

The Met Office says Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England are to feel the brunt of the unseasonable weather, with a yellow weather warning in place from 6am Monday until the same time Tuesday. It comes after an exciting heatwave forecast with maps revealing the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK.

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Along with the 85mph winds - which are considered "hurricane-force" - heavy rain is also expected. The Met Office has advised Brits that being prepared is the best way to offset the storm's dangers and listed three crucial items to gather ahead of the storm to keep yourself safe - torches, batteries and a mobile phone power bank.

The national forecaster said: "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."

The Met Office warned Brits to expect a long list of worrying consequences from the devastating winds, including damage to buildings, injuries and danger to life from flying debris, and potential power cuts, including to mobile phone coverage.

As well as flying debris, large waves and beach material hurling towards sea fronts, coastal roads and properties could bring further risk to life. Bridges and roads could be forced to close, while road, rail, air and ferry services could also be affected - with longer journey times and cancellations possible.

In a statement, the forecaster said: "Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK early next week.

"The strongest winds are most likely to occur across Scotland during Monday afternoon and night, although there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris.

"Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see westerly wind gusts of 40-50 mph with 60-70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland.

"There is a chance of a spell of even stronger winds developing for a time, with inland gusts of 60-70 mph and 85 mph along exposed Scottish coastlines and hills. Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east. Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places."

The Met Office said people should "check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them". Among the items to watch for are "bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tens, sheds and fences".

"Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary," the advisory reads.

Regions affected by Met Office weather warning: Central, Tayside & Fife

• Angus
• Clackmannanshire
• Dundee
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Perth and Kinross
• Stirling

Grampian

• Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Na h-Eileanan Siar
• Highland

North East England

• Darlington
• Durham
• Gateshead
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Redcar and Cleveland
• South Tyneside
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Sunderland

North West England

• Blackburn with Darwen
• Blackpool
• Cheshire West and Chester
• Cumbria
• Greater Manchester
• Halton
• Lancashire
• Merseyside
• Warrington

Northern Ireland

• County Antrim
• County Armagh
• County Down
• County Fermanagh
• County Londonderry
• County Tyrone

Orkney & Shetland

• Orkney Islands
• Shetland Islands

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• East Lothian
• Edinburgh
• Midlothian Council
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Strathclyde

• Argyll and Bute
• East Ayrshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• East Renfrewshire
• Glasgow
• Inverclyde
• North Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire
• Renfrewshire
• South Ayrshire
• South Lanarkshire
• West Dunbartonshire

Wales

• Conwy
• Denbighshire
• Flintshire
• Gwynedd
• Isle of Anglesey

Yorkshire & Humber

• East Riding of Yorkshire
• North Yorkshire
• West Yorkshire
• York