Met Office issues new weather warning for Greater Manchester

The Met Office has issued a new weather warning covering Greater Manchester. Forecasters are warning people to expect strong winds across the region later this week.

A yellow warning for wind has been issued, coming into effect at 3pm on Thursday (December 5). The warning lasts until 6am on Friday.

It covers almost all of the North West - including Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and parts of Cumbria. Areas of Yorkshire, the Midlands, East Anglia, North Wales, Northern Ireland and the west coast of Scotland are also covered by the warning.

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The Met Office says these areas could face 'some disruption' from 'strong and gust winds'. Residents are urged to prepare for potential disruption to travel and power supply.

A Met Office spokesperson added: "Westerly or northwesterly winds will increase across Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland, north Wales, northern England, the north Midlands and East Anglia during Thursday afternoon and evening. Inland gusts of 40-50 mph are possible, with perhaps 60-70 mph along exposed coasts, especially through the North Channel and Irish Sea, causing some travel disruption.

"Strong gusts will also be associated with heavy showers which move through at times." Winds are expected to become more gusty in Manchester this evening (Wednesday), with gusts of up to 38 mph.

After a calmer period in the morning and early afternoon, the city could see gusts of up to 47 mph later on Thursday, tailing off in the early hours of Friday morning. Heavy rain is also expected in prolonged spells over the next 48 hours.