STORM Pia is set to batter Bradford - bringing the potential for travel disruption in the run-up to Christmas.

A notably deep area of low pressure - named Storm Pia by the Danish Met Service - will track to the north of the UK over the Norwegian Sea through tonight and into tomorrow.

According to the Met Office, this is expected to bring very strong winds and heavy showers to a large portion of the UK.

A Met Office yellow warning for wind, which covers West Yorkshire, will start at midnight and end at 9pm tomorrow. 

Met Office chief meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said: "From late Wednesday into Thursday, strong winds are likely to develop across a large area of the UK.

"We've issued a large yellow warning area where there's a potential for some impacts, but gusts of 50 to 60mph are possible for large parts of central and northern areas of the UK.

"Exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts of 70 to 80mph at times, mainly across the far north of Scotland.

"There's a chance this low pressure will continue to exert its influence into Friday, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest Met Office forecast.

"This system has been named Storm Pia by the Danish Met Service, with the system likely to have more severe impacts in Denmark."

It will remain windy for many on Friday, with further periods of rain likely to sweep in from the west.

What to expect from Storm Pia, according to the Met Office

The Met Office updated its yellow warning earlier today. 

Given higher confidence on wind strength, the impact level was changed.

The end time was also brought forward.

The warning states:

  • Some bus and train services may be affected, with some journeys taking longer

  • Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are expected

  • Some short-term loss of power and other services may happen

  • Coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves

  • Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges are expected

What will the weather be like over Christmas?

According to the Met Office, it will remain generally rather unsettled for the weekend before Christmas, with further Atlantic frontal systems bringing rain and strong winds to parts of the UK.

Rain will be heaviest in the west and northwest through the weekend, with any snow most likely confined to high ground in northern Scotland.

Some central and eastern areas of the UK could remain mostly dry.

There are still some uncertainties in the details of the forecast for Christmas Day. 

Met Office chief meteorologist Mr Gundersen said: "Christmas Day looks like being fairly unsettled in northern and western areas.

"Any showers in the north could be wintry with hail and thunder, but even here, any snow will be mainly on high ground.

"The south of the country will see the best of the drier and brighter conditions.

"While temperatures will be near normal for the time of year, it will be a windy day for many meaning it will feel colder.

"Beyond Christmas Day, further rain or showers and strong winds are likely for many, and again any sleet and snow will be mainly over the hills of Scotland, as is often the case in December.  

"Further details will be available closer to the time."