Severe gales were expected to batter much of Britain yesterday causing significant disruption to transport and damage to buildings, weather forecasters said.

Winds of up to 80 mph in exposed parts of the country are predicted along with heavy rain while snow is also due across much of Scotland. “The southern half of the UK will see heavy rain and the strongest winds with gales or severe gales in many areas”, the Met Office said.

“Damaging gusts of 60-70 miles per hour could cause travel disruption and the public are advised to keep up to date with the very latest forecast for their area. Exposed coasts and hills could see gusts as high as 80 milesper hour.” Network Rail said train services throughout the country have been affected by the bad weather.

The gales were expected to ease from the west yesterday afternoon but the Met Office said poor conditions would continue.