Scotland faces widespread turmoil as Storm Gerrit leaves nearly 8,000 homes powerless. Cupar in Fife witnessed evacuations due to flooding, and the A9 in the Highlands closed amid heavy snow. SSEN reports the north east and Shetland as the hardest-hit areas, with outages extending into Friday. Landslides and road damage compound travel issues, while a "localised tornado" damages 100 homes in Greater Manchester. Rural regions, especially in the north east, brace for potential 48-hour blackouts. Rail services are halted, and a major incident is declared on the snow-locked A9. Emergency teams work to restore normalcy as Scotland grapples with the aftermath of Storm Gerrit's relentless onslaught.

Two earthquakes, measuring 6.5 and 5.0 magnitudes, struck near Japan's coast in rapid succession, reported the US Geological Survey. The initial 6.5 magnitude quake occurred at 2:45 pm, centered off the southeast coast of the Kuril Islands, followed by a 5.0 magnitude jolt at 3:07 pm. Both quakes struck at depths of 23.8 km and 40 km, respectively. No immediate reports of damage. Japan has experienced a series of powerful quakes this year, with earlier tsunami warnings in December. Past earthquakes, including a 6.5 magnitude in May, caused injuries and building collapses in different regions.

Storm Gerrit hits the UK, bringing snow, rain, and strong winds. Warnings are issued for Wednesday and Thursday, with potential 70mph winds in some areas. The Met Office named the storm on Tuesday, predicting heavy rain and wintry conditions, especially in northern Scotland. People traveling post-Christmas are urged to be cautious on roads. Met Office's Simon Partridge notes wet and windy weather across the UK, significant snow in Scotland, and wind warnings for various regions, excluding the central UK. Rain and snow warnings cover Scotland, Northern Ireland, western Wales, and North West England. Wind warning areas may experience gusts of 50-60mph, reaching 70mph on high ground. Storm Gerrit also impacts Ireland with an orange rain warning for the southwest coast.

A thick blanket of fog engulfed Delhi and its surroundings, severely impacting visibility and leading to traffic disruptions. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for "very dense fog" as cold wave conditions persisted across north India. In Delhi, the Palam observatory near the airport recorded a mere 50 meters of visibility, creating hazardous travel conditions. The air quality also plummeted to a "very poor" level, with the average Air Quality Index at 381. Commuters faced challenges, and the Delhi airport, while maintaining operations, cautioned travelers about potential delays due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Office has issued seven weather warnings across Britain, predicting heavy rain and flooding that pose a danger to life in some regions. Wales faces a risk of fast-flowing or deep floodwater, with potential impacts on homes and businesses. Power cuts are also anticipated in various parts of the country. Additionally, wind and snow warnings cover southern England, Wales, the north of England, and Scotland throughout Wednesday. Scotland has an ice warning for Monday and Tuesday, heightening concerns about difficult travel conditions. The Met Office officially declared a white Christmas as snow fell in some UK areas, breaking temperature records for the highest daily minimum on Christmas Day.

Forecasters predict a potentially record-breaking warm Christmas Day in the UK, reaching highs of 13-14°C. The Met Office suggests a "small chance" of surpassing the 1920 record of 15.6°C. However, hopes for a white Christmas dwindle as snowfall is limited to Scotland's highlands. Meteorologist Liam Eslick anticipates damp conditions, with heavy rain in Wales and a milder Christmas compared to the average 7-8°C. Christmas Eve faces travel disruptions, with 70mph winds hitting northern Scotland and central England. Yellow warnings for rain are in place, urging caution on roads and highlighting flood risks in Wales and Scotland.

In a recurring seismic event, Meghalaya experiences another earthquake, registering a magnitude of 3.5 on the Richter scale in the Tura region. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reports the quake at a depth of 5 km, with the epicenter located at latitude 25.55 and longitude 90.48. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. This incident follows a similar event on December 8, when a 3.8 magnitude quake shook Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. The region remains on alert as seismic activities continue. Pakistan also faced recent tremors, with a 4.4 magnitude quake hitting Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Met Office issues caution as Christmas nears, predicting a wet and windy lead-up. Yellow weather warnings cover regions, signaling potential travel troubles. Rain alerts for west Scotland, northwest England, and Wales start Saturday. Wind warnings, peaking at 60mph near the Pennines, pose transport risks in north Scotland and northeast England on Christmas Eve. Steven Keates, deputy chief meteorologist, advises expecting a damp Christmas start. The far southeast might endure prolonged rain. As weather fronts shift south and east, drier conditions may emerge in the afternoon. Travelers are urged to stay updated, acknowledging potential disruptions. Adjusting plans may be crucial, with an eye on safety amid the festive hustle.

Authorities in Iceland have lowered the threat level for the recently erupted volcano near Grindavík as no visible activity has been observed. The eruption, which started earlier this week, caused a fissure spewing lava dangerously close to Grindavík. The Icelandic Meteorological Office stated that volcanic activity appears to have ceased, but the possibility of lava flowing underneath remains. The state of emergency has been downgraded, allowing limited access for evacuated residents. Authorities are monitoring the situation, considering protective measures for the geothermal power plant and discussing potential barriers to safeguard Grindavík.

Amidst travel disruptions due to Storm Pia, the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice, lasting 21 hours on Friday and Saturday, coinciding with one of the busiest pre-Christmas weekends. The warnings are in place for northern Scotland and the Shetlands. Initially predicted from 9 pm today until midday on Saturday, the warning now begins at 3 pm. The Met Office spokesperson warns of travel disruption with potentially affected roads, railways, and longer journey times for road, bus, and train services. Currently impacting northern Scotland and the Shetlands, the warnings coincide with ongoing travel disruption due to Storm Pia battering the UK.