Topsy-turvy weather to continue with high-winds now set to batter Britain

South West set to be hit by strong winds as residents are warned to stay indoors

The topsy-turvy British weather looks set to continue over the next two days with parts of the country being hammered by high-winds and driving rain.

After mini-heatwaves and torrential downpours the country is now preparing to batten down the hatches as winds of up to 70mph look hit the South West.

The Met Office today issued a severe weather warning for south west England from early afternoon.

Forecaster Mark Seltzer said, "Strong winds, possibly up to gale force, are expected from the afternoon onwards in south-west England particularly Devon and Cornwall.

"On Friday the warning is extended to include south Wales and many parts of southern England as well as the South West, again with a risk of gales. The public should be careful when they are outside, and there is a danger of damage to trees.

"Winds should gradually ease from the South West during the day."

Unseasonably strong winds could cause coastal surges and large waves on the South Wales coast.

Flood alerts have also been issued for Swansea Bay, the Usk Estuary, the Wye Estuary and the coast from the Severn Bridge to Aberthaw.

Residents across the South West have been warned to prepare for strong winds and batten down the hatches. Some residents in a Cornwall village were warned to stay indoors.

The Atlantic storm looks set to hit the UK this afternoon with gale-force winds and heavy rain continuing into Friday.

Brendan Jones, senior forecaster with MeteoGroup said, "There are going to be potentially disruptive winds. This sort of Atlantic storm is more normally seen in the autumn and winter months.

"Winds will increase this afternoon in Devon and Cornwall and there could be gusts of 60 to 65mph, or even 70mph on exposed coasts and headlands.

"Through tonight and Friday, the centre of the storm will move slowly north east, touching areas as far away at north Wales and exiting Britain as far north as Northumberland.

"Tomorrow, south Wales could have gusts of 60mph and many areas of England which are well inland could see gusts exceeding 50mph. There will also be a lot of rain in the next 48 hours."