The Met Office has issued two urgent weather warnings as Britons brace for 70mph winds and the risk of floods.
From 9pm tonight, a yellow warning for wind is in place for London, the south of England, and parts of Wales.
The warning has been put into place until midday tomorrow.
The Met Office said: “Strong winds may affect parts of southern England and south Wales during Thursday evening and Friday morning.”
70mph winds could hit parts of the UK
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It continued: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to move eastwards across southern Britain during Thursday evening and Friday morning, bringing spells of strong southerly winds, then a lull, followed by strong west or northwesterly winds.
“There is uncertainty over the track and depth of the low and this affects how strong the wind will be.
“It is likely that coastal areas will see 50-60 mph gusts, with a low probability of 70mph over exposed hills and headlands with winds probably peaking after they veer west or northwesterly.
“This could lead to some disruption in places. Along with the strong winds, we will also see heavy rain overnight clearing as the low progresses eastwards.”
The south of England and parts of Wales will be hit by wind and rain.
Met Office
Offering guidance to Britons who will be hit by the winds, the Met Office urged people to stay indoors and to only drive if a journey is necessary.
A Met Office spokesman said: “We are expecting a spell of very unsettled winds on Thursday and Friday as an area of low pressure moves in from northern France.
“There are chances of winds of up to 70mph on exposed coasts and on high ground.
“There may be isolated power cuts and there may be a few trees coming down as well.”
Flooding could occur as a result of the rain
PA
Although the warning will subside by 12pm tomorrow, a second yellow weather warning has been put in place until 6pm on Friday.
The second weather warning is for heavy rain which will last twelve hours from 6am.
It will primarily affect people living in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and other areas in the South West of England.
The Met Office warned the rain could lead to travel disruption and a chance of some flooding in places.
Bus and train services will be affected and drivers should allow more time for travel as a result of the standing water.
The rain is expected to ease through Friday evening.
