Storm Chandra latest: Road and school closures as weather alerts issued across much of UK

Drivers in the UK have been warned against driving through standing water as "flooding is highly likely" today.

With water levels "making many roads dangerous", Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, has sent a message to drivers.

"Do not drive through standing water unless you are completely certain the water is shallow enough and it's safe to do so," he says.

"In these conditions, drivers need to slow down and stay alert. Wet roads can double stopping distances, so taking a cautious, steady approach and allowing extra time to react is essential."

Mullender adds that if your vehicle "already has known faults, now is not the time to take risks".

"Avoid unnecessary journeys and get issues fixed promptly by a trusted mobile mechanic or local garage," he says.

Much of the UK will grapple with wind and rain today, but some parts may also face snowy conditions to boot. 

That's because the Met Office has issued two snow warnings.

It says: "Heavy rain will turn to snow over high ground which may lead to some travel and power disruption on Tuesday."

Snow is "unlikely" to accumulate at low-levels, but there is the potential for 2-5cm in places above 300m, 5-10cm above 400m, and 10-20cm above 500, according to the Met Office.

Here are the areas affected between midnight and 5pm today:

• East Midlands: Derbyshire
• North East England: Durham, Northumberland
• North West England: Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
• South West Scotland: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
• Strathclyde: East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire
• West Midlands: Staffordshire
• Yorkshire and Humber: North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire 

And these are the areas affected between 6am and 11:59pm today:

• Central, Tayside and Fife: Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
• Grampian: Aberdeenshire, Moray
• Highlands and Eilean Siar: Highland
• Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute

Met Eireann has issued yellow wind and rain warnings for Ireland which are in place for most of today.

Wind is expected to be "very strong and gusty, particularly on coasts and in exposed areas," and is expected to last from 3am until 11pm today.

The rain "will be heavy and persistent" and valid from midnight until 11pm today.

A total of 242 schools are closed today in Northern Ireland "due to severe weather", according to the country's government website.

As we reported at 5:13, an amber wind warning has been issued for Northern Ireland between 5am and 9pm today.

It will bring "very strong winds", and the Met Office says flying debris could lead to injuries and "danger to life";

Gusts between 60-70mph are set to hit eastern and northern parts of Northern Ireland, with a few coastal locations seeing gusts of 75mph.

Multiple roads across the UK have been closed due to Storm Chandra, according to National Highways.

Here's a rundown of the closures in place:

• A30 - East Devon: Closed between the B3174/B3180 junctions near Ottery St Mary and the B3184 for Exeter Airport due to significant flooding;
• A303 - Somerset/Devon border: Closed in both directions between the A30 at Upottery and the A358 at Horton Cross due to flooding with crews working to clear floodwater;
• A35 - Dorset: Closed in both directions between the A352 Max Gate junction and the B3150 Stinsford Roundabout near Dorchester due to flooding;
• A15 Humber Bridge: Closed in both directions to high sided and vulnerable vehicles due to strong winds;
• M48 Severn Bridge: It is closed in both directions and traffic is being diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge;
• A66 County Durham/Cumbria: Closed in both directions between the A67 near Bowes and the A685 near Brough due to snow in the area.

The Met Office has issued several warnings across the UK, including two amber warnings.

Here's a breakdown:

• An amber rain warning has been issued for South West England. The Met Office says Storm Chandra is bringing "heavy rain, flooding and disruption" until 9am today. It adds that fast-flowing or deep floodwater is "likely" and could cause "danger to life";
• The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning from 5am until 4pm today in South West England and Wales. The office says there will be "very strong south to southwesterly winds";
• A yellow rain warning has been issued for London and South East England, South West England, Wales, and the West Midlands until 10am today. The Met Office says there may be "some transport disruption" and potential flooding in some areas;
• Another yellow rain warning is in place for the East of England, London and South East England until midday today. It also may lead to transport disruption and possible flooding;
• The Met Office has issued a yellow rain and snow warning for the East Midlands, North East England, North West England, South West Scotland, Strathclyde, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber until 5pm today. Heavy rain will turn to snow over high ground;
• A yellow wind warning is also in place for southwest Scotland and Strathclyde from 5am until 11:59pm today;
• The Met Office has put in place a yellow rain and snow warning for Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde from 6am until 11:59pm. Heavy rain will turn to snow on high ground;
• An amber wind warning has been issued for Northern Ireland until 9pm today. It will bring "very strong winds" as the Met Office says flying debris could lead to injuries and "danger to life";
• A yellow warning for rain and wind is in place all day for Northern Ireland, with heavy rain potentially leading to some flooding.

Ahead of today's storm, several major bridges have been closed due to heavy winds - a sign of likely widespread travel disruption to come.

The M48 Severn Bridge was closed this morning, while The Humber Bridge was shut to high-sided vehicles due to wind.

National Rail issued a warning that “poor weather may affect South Western Railway services until the end of the day”, while traffic between England and Wales was being diverted over the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

Sections of several roads in Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were also closed due to flooding.

One of the weather warnings in effect from 5am is an amber alert for wind along the west coast of Northern Ireland.

Lasting until 9pm tonight, the Met Office said those from Kilkeel and Ballycastle face increasingly strong easterly winds.

Gusts between 60 and 70mph are set to hit eastern and northern parts of the country, with a few coastal locations seeing gusts of 75mph.

The forecaster said that "injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties".

In a rush and need a quick overview this morning?

Meteorologist Clare Nasir explains where Storm Chandra is going to hit in the UK today - laying out the warnings in place in under 60 seconds:

Storm Chandra is set to drench large parts of the UK today, with multiple weather warnings in place

Several for wind, rain and snow have been active since yesterday evening, and some amber and yellow warnings for rain have just come into force across Cornwall, St David's and Belfast.

Here's a map of all the Met Office's warnings for today:

Risk of flooding

Our meteorologist Christopher England said today will be "wet, with a risk of surface and river flooding".

He added "the more prolonged rain will become gradually confined to Scotland, after a relatively dry start there, with sunny spells and blustery showers following". 

"The far north probably won't see more than a few showery outbreaks,"  England says.

"Expect some significant snow on northern hills, and possibly severe coastal gales in the north and west, although the worst of the gales will ease a little later."

We'll bring you the latest updates throughout the day - stay with us.