Severe 70mph gales are set to batter Merseyside from tomorrow as Storm Atiyah brings chaos to the western shores of the UK.
The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for wind in the region, starting 3pm on Sunday, and says power cuts, damage to buildings and travel delays could take place.
Winds will gust to 50-60mph inland, but coasts could be battered by 70mph gales and large waves during Atiyah, the first named storm of the winter.
Deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, Tony Wardle, said: "The UK is in for an unsettled period of weather with some very strong winds, especially along the west coast.
"Gusts of 50-60mph are expected quite widely inland, with up to 70mph gusts around some coastal locations.
"As well as strong winds there will be large coastal waves in the south west, so bare this in mind before heading out in these regions.
"Monday will be a much-improved day with brighter and drier conditions moving in from the west before another period of wet and windy weather on Tuesday."
The warning remains in place until 9am on Monday.
The Met Office is predicting a wet, windy and cold week after the storm clears on Monday, when a blast of wintry weather will move in.
Daytime highs will range between 8-12C in the south and 6-10C in the north. Overnight lows will be around 3-5C in the south and -2C to 3C in the north.
But temperatures are likely to drop below normal from around the middle of the month, increasing the risk of wintry showers further north.
When Britons cast their ballots in the General Election on Thursday, rain is expected to be widespread.
In its long-term forecast for Wednesday 11 December to Friday 20 December, the Met Office said: "There is also a low risk of widespread snow on the northern edge of rain bands."
