Residents across Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being warned to prepare for potentially damaging winds on Friday (23 October), with gusts possibly exceeding 70mph in some exposed coastal locations.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning covering the whole of West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
The warning comes into force at midnight on Thursday night into Friday morning and remains in place until midday on Friday.
Forecasters say strong west to northwesterly winds could bring gusts of 50 to 60mph across parts of southern England, with speeds potentially reaching 70mph or more in some coastal and exposed areas.
However, the Met Office has stressed that there is still uncertainty about exactly where the strongest winds will occur.
Periods of heavy rain are also expected, potentially making travelling conditions more difficult during the Friday morning rush hour.
The warning raises concerns about possible disruption to road, rail and ferry services across the South.
Motorists travelling along exposed routes, including the A27 and coastal roads, may face challenging driving conditions, while ferry passengers travelling between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to check for service updates.
The Met Office says there is a small chance of travel delays and cancellations, with some roads and bridges potentially having to close.
There is also a risk of damage to buildings, including roof tiles being blown loose, while flying debris could pose a danger to pedestrians and motorists.
Power cuts are another possibility, with interruptions potentially affecting mobile phone coverage and other services.
People living in coastal communities, including Selsey, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Worthing, Shoreham, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, are being urged to take particular care near the seafront.
Large waves could throw beach material onto promenades, coastal roads and nearby properties, while dangerous conditions could develop around exposed coastal locations.
The Met Office is advising households to secure loose outdoor items ahead of Friday, including garden furniture, bins, trampolines and anything else that could be blown around in strong winds.
People planning to travel are also advised to check public transport services and road conditions before setting off.
Those visiting beaches and coastal paths are being warned that powerful waves can sweep people off their feet, even when they are standing on the shore.
The Met Office expects conditions to remain blustery during Friday, although the strongest winds are likely to ease from late morning into early afternoon.
The yellow warning was issued on Monday (19 October), with forecasters continuing to monitor the developing weather system.
Residents are being encouraged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts, as warning areas and predicted wind speeds could change before Friday.
The latest warning information is available on the Met Office website
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