Essex has been warned about high winds hitting the county and causing travel disruption from this morning (Tuesday, 7 December), as the UK braces for Storm Barra.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for much of the UK as the storm is set to make landfall today, bringing strong winds and heavy showers.

The windy weather could cause traffic delays, affect bus and train services and bring about short-term loss of power.

The Maldon district, which covers Burnham and the Dengie, is set to be hit by winds of 41mph by 4pm this afternoon, remaining at around 31mph into the night, while rain is expected to fall between 2pm and 7pm.

Elsewhere in Essex, the Met Office has forecast gusts of up to 70mph.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Windy conditions developing over western UK early on Tuesday morning will soon spread eastwards across the warning area bringing gales, severe over coastal areas, for a time.

"Wind in many areas will start to ease during Tuesday evening.

"In addition to wind, showers and longer spells of rain, as well as hill snow in the north, will make for unpleasant and difficult travel conditions."

The yellow warning is in place from 9am to 11.59pm today.

What to expect

• Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely.
• Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer.
• Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely and some damage to trees possible.
• Some short term loss of power and other services is possible.
• It's likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves.

Storm Barra is the second named storm of the season and is set to cause gale force winds throughout today and into tomorrow (8 December).