Wet weather is expected to batter the parts of the country over the next 48 hours (Picture: PA)

The Met Office has issued a number of urgent weather warnings for the UK as Christmas approaches.

Forecasters say regions of north-western Scotland could be particularly badly affected by heavy rainfall, with up to 200mm falling tomorrow on higher ground.

The amber alert includes the possibility of power cuts in the areas affected and with difficult driving conditions and road closures expected.

The affected area begins just north of Helensburgh and spans the entirety of the west of Scotland north of the town, with the exception of the Outer Hebrides and a handful of other islands on the western coast.

The warnings come into place at 6pm on Saturday.

The rain is expected to worsen throughout the Saturday night, with the Met Office upping the warning to amber on Sunday.

Scots travelling in the affected area have been asked to plan ahead before heading off.

The agency predicts 100-150mm of rainfall in the area this weekend, potentially rising to 200mm in some west-facing upslopes.

The alert warns of the potential for power cuts and difficult driving conditions, and say ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life’.

Meanwhile, the pressure pattern brings dry, settled weather for southern areas.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: ‘This weekend will be mild across the UK with high pressure in the south maintaining a settled theme.

‘However, a slow-moving front will bring a spell of heavy rain to north-west Scotland.

‘Into early next week, this weather front will move slowly south and bring some rain to the remainder of the UK.

‘As the front clears south, temperatures will return to near average.

‘It will remain changeable through midweek, with the best of any prolonged drier spells in the south and east.’