HELENSBURGH and Lomond residents have been warned of the possibility of travel disruption, cuts to power supplies and interruptions to mobile phone coverage due to heavy snow and strong winds in much of Scotland over the next few days.

The Met Office has warned that some vehicles and passengers in certain areas could become stranded, that some rural communities could be cut off entirely, and that there's a risk of injury and danger to life from flying debris.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for almost all of Scotland and Northern Ireland, lasting until 9am on Thursday, January 18.

And a second yellow warning has also been issued by the forecaster, warning that very strong winds, with widespread gusts of 60-70mph, are likely to hit much of the UK, from central Scotland southwards, between 9pm on Wednesday and 1pm on Thursday.

The second of two snow warnings, posted on the Met Office's website and in place from 6pm on Wednesday until 9am on Thursday, states: “Travel delays are possible on roads with a risk that some vehicles and passengers could become stranded.

“Delays or cancellations are possible to rail and air travel.

“Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone, may be affected.”

The wind warning, in place between 9pm on Wednesday and 1pm on Thursday, says: “Very strong winds will affect parts of the UK during Wednesday night and into Thursday.

"The strongest winds are expected to transfer eastwards across the warning area before clearing by early afternoon.

"Road, rail and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations. There is also a possibility that some bridges may close.

"Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, along with some damage to buildings.

"In addition, large waves are expected to affect some western coasts with beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.”

Looking ahead to the warning of strong winds, the Met Office's chief forecaster said: “During Wednesday night and into Thursday there is the potential for gusts of 60-70 mph quite widely and a small chance of winds reaching 80 mph in places.

“The location of the most damaging winds is currently uncertain, although parts of northern and eastern England along with southern Scotland currently look more at risk.

“Along with the strong winds a spell of heavy rain can also be expected, which could also be combined with a temporary thaw of lying snow in the north.”

The forecast for Helensburgh is not quite as bleak as for other parts of the UK: according to the Met Office, the heaviest snow in Helensburgh is most likely to fall late on Tuesday evening, while wind speeds are not currently expected to reach more than 40 miles per hour.

For up-to-date forecasts and the latest weather warnings see the Met Office website.