Parts of the UK have been put on a rare red alert as the first winter storm of the season is set to pummel the north of England and Scotland this weekend.

Widespread gales and snow in hilly areas from Storm Arwen are expected between Friday afternoon and the early hours of Saturday morning. Storm Arwen is moving in from the North Sea and will move southwards before easing on Sunday, UK media reported.

It's rare for the UK Met Office to issue the maximum red weather warning. "Disruption to travel and infrastructure is likely over the coming days with warnings in force," the Met Office tweeted.

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