A deep area of low pressure - fuelled by a powerful jet stream high above the Atlantic - is set to bring very strong winds with gales in places to the UK.

He said the sharp contrast often eases by January or February, when the jet stream — which tends to direct moisture-laden storms — shifts further south.

It is all being driven by a very fast jet stream high in the atmosphere.

Hemmed in by historically frigid temperatures in the far north and much warmer ones further south, the jet stream generally confines itself to a narrow band.

Dana weather systems are formed when an area of low pressure gets "cut off" from the main flow of the jet stream.