TORRENTIAL rain and gusts of up to 80mph are set to batter Scotland today as storms blow in from the south west.

Forecasters have issued yellow weather warnings covering most parts of Scotland until 9pm tonight, although the worst of the weather is expected in the early hours and through this morning.

Heavy rain is expected across south and central Scotland as well as the Grampian area, with winds of up to 80mph in coastal areas and 60mph inland.

However, northern England and parts of north Wales are likely to be worst affected by the storms, with forecasters warning that conditions in these areas could be "severe or hazardous" with potential to "cause danger to life or widespread disruption".

Helen Roberts, a forecaster for the Met Office, said: "The storm will push in from the west overnight, bringing wet and windy weather to much of the UK.

"There will be very strong gales inland at times and severe gales on the western coast.

"There will be about 10-20mm of rain for many areas, possibly 25mm in some locations."

It comes after thousands of people in the south of England were left without power and hundreds were affected by floods over Christmas.

Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport chiefs face a possible investigation into the chaos that ensued on Christmas Eve after a power outage at its North Terminal, amid claims stranded passengers were left "in squalor".