WEATHER warnings have been issued for the North West for the rest of the week as winds are expected to reach 70 miles an hour.

The Met Office has issued two yellow warnings while the Highways Agency has urged drivers to take extra care and leave extra time for their journeys.

The Met Office's first warning predicts ‘gales, severe at times, likely to affect North Wales, Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from Tuesday night, during Wednesday and at first on Thursday’.

The second warning highlights a potential for gales or severe gales to develop across much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland during Thursday night and into Friday.

These are expected to last for much of the day, before slowly easing from the west during the afternoon and into the evening.

A band of heavy rain, with snow on northern hills, will accompany the low pressure system, this pushing quickly southeast through the day, according to the Met Office.

The Highways Agency has issued a severe weather alert for gales from 8am on Wednesday until 9am on Thursday with gusts of more than 50mph expected along the coast and over the Pennines from sunrise on Wednesday, with winds strengthening throughout the morning up to 70mph.

Hail, sleet and snow showers are also forecast, especially over the higher Pennine routes, where drivers can expect blizzard conditions. Visibility will be significantly reduced during the showers and also from the spray.

Andrew Olive, winter services manager at the Highways Agency, said: “We’re expecting high winds across the region from Wednesday morning so we’re urging motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and to drive at appropriate speeds.

“If your journey isn’t essential then it may be better to travel at a different time, especially if you’re driving a lorry, caravan or motorbike as these vehicles are particularly vulnerable in high winds.

“Drivers should also check fuel and fluid levels, electrics and tyres before setting off to make sure their vehicles are as safe as possible.”

Road users should check their journeys before they travel by listening to traffic bulletins on the radio, visiting highways.gov.uk/traffic or calling the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.