Storm misery ahead as forecasters say it’s about to get VERY, VERY wet and windy!

It’s time to belt up – here comes Babs!

Storm Barbara is on the way and the Christmas period is threatening a wet and windy time.

After recent relatively quiet and dry conditions, much more unsettled weather is heading this way in the lead-up to the big day with the second named storm of the season, Storm Barbara, expected on Friday.

A yellow weather warning for strong winds across County Armagh is in place from 9am on Friday until 9am on Christmas Eve (Saturday).

As many plan festive visits to friends and family this week, the weather is getting more disturbed.

The windiest and wettest weather will be in the north and west of the UK with National Severe Weather Warnings in place.

A spell of very strong south to southwesterly winds is expected to develop on Friday – and this will be accompanied by heavy rains.

This means gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely and quite widespread.

Winds will then die down later on Saturday morning.

The public are being advised of the potential for some structural damage, as well as disruption to power supplies and travel.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Chris Tubbs said: “Storm Barbara is forecast to form in the west Atlantic on Wednesday and will pass close to the northwest of the UK during Friday, bringing very strong winds and heavy rain, especially across the north and west of Scotland. This brings the potential for some structural damage, disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries likely.

“The disturbed conditions look like continuing through Christmas weekend with another vigorous low pressure system waiting in the wings.”

The wet and windy weather – which is as a result of a succession of deep Atlantic low pressure system – gets underway today (Tuesday), December 20.

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