Travel latest: 75mph gales in Yorkshire hit power and halt trains and planes

Tricky driving conditions are expected as gusts of up to 75mph and wintry weather sweep across northern areas.

A gust of 93mph was recorded at High Bradfield in South Yorkshire, a high site, while Tiree was hit by a 77mph gust and South Uist by one of 73mph.

Yellow weather warnings for wind and snow across much of Scotland and the north of England have been issued by the Met Office for all of today.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, forecasters are warning of very windy weather which is likely to cause travel disruption and restrictions on bridges.

Highways England said restrictions had been put in place for high sided and vulnerable vehicles on the A66, M62, A628 and A19 due to strong winds. The Humber Bridge has been closed to high sided vehicles and caravans.

The region's police forces have received dozens of calls reporting trees and debris blocking roads.

Several flights in and out of Leeds Bradford Airport have been cancelled or diverted. The airport said on Twitter: “Strong gale force winds are affecting flights today. Please check with your airline or on our website for details if you’re flying today.”

Heavy traffic is reported on many West Yorkshire roads, including the A657 at Calverley, the A658 at Pool, and the A62 at Gildersome.

Traffic in Leeds city centre, near Gelderd Road, is heavily congested and backing up on the M621, which one motorist described as “gridlocked”. Leeds City Council has extended the planned closure of roads around Bridgewater Place until 4pm.

West Yorkshire roads blocked or partially blocked due to fallen trees include: Harden at Ryecroft Road, Denton Rd at Ben Rhydding, Bywell Rd, Dewsbury, Smithy Hill at Denholme, Manywells Brow at Cullingworth, Halifax Road at Shelf, Queensbury Road at Boothtown, Halifax Road at Denholme, Pool New Bank Road at Bramhope, South View at Ilkley and Wortley Ring Road in Leeds.

In South Yorkshire, a fallen tree has blocked the A61 at Hillfoot Road, Sheffield

And in North Yorkshire, the fire service said winds had caused a trampoline to blow on to a conservatory, damaging windows.

Northern Powergrid, which supplies power to homes in the North East and Yorkshire, said it had 545 customers without power this morning.

There were major rush-hour major delays on some train lines, caused by damage to overhead wires. All lines were blocked between Shipley and Skipton, and services between Leeds, Bradford, Ilkley and Skipton were cancelled or delayed. An obstruction on the line between Mirfield, Halifax and Hebden Bridge also caused disruption, with services delayed by up to 50 minutes. All the lines have now reopened but Northern Rail said delays and cancellations to some services would continue until lunchtime.

A number of schools in Yorkshire have been forced to close today following damage caused by the high winds. They include:

• Leeds - Bramley Primary School

• Bradford - Barkerend Academy, Foxhill Primary, Frizinghall Primary

• Kirklees - Whitcliffe Mount and Westmoor Primary (Key Stage 2 site)

Meanwhile, Victoria Primary School in Bradford has closed due to a boiler failure.

FORECAST

Gales will continue through the day and evening. Frequent blustery showers will continue overnight, these heavy at times and wintry, especially over the hills. Very cold with a widespread frost. Wintry showers on Thursday.