<I><B></p><p>Met Office warns of heavy rain and gale-force winds in the West</B></I>

Met Office warns of heavy rain and gale-force winds in the West

Gale-force winds and heavy rain are set to lash western parts of the UK, prompting a number of weather warnings this weekend. Winds of up to 100mph are likely to hit parts of Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland, as well as Orkney, today. Rain will affect all parts of the UK and snow may fall on high ground in Scotland and northern England, according to the Met Office. The wet, blustery weather is being caused by a deep Atlantic depression close to north-west Scotland. The AA has warned drivers to check their routes are clear before starting out on journeys.