Amber and yellow weather warnings have been issued across the South West with Storm Goretti set to bring snow and strong winds.
The storm is expected to rapidly develop as it approaches the region by 12:00 GMT.
It has led to an amber wind warning from 17:00 to 23:00 across parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, as forecasters warn of 80 to 90mph (129 km/h to 145 km/h) gusts in “exposed places”, bringing the risk of falling debris and potential danger to life.
There is a further yellow warning for wind for Devon and Cornwall from 15:00 to 06:00 on Friday, while yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and rain are also in force for Devon and Somerset from 20:00 Thursday to 09:00 Friday.
Goretti, which is currently developing rapidly in the Atlantic, is likely to undergo “explosive cyclogenesis” – also known as a “weather bomb”, say forecasters.
The term explosive cyclogenesis is used where the central pressure drops by 1 millibar an hour over a 24-hour period.
It generally results in particularly powerful gusts of wind over a period of a few hours.
The stormy weather is set to batter the South West with heavy rain and severe gales.
Winds will reach at least 40mph (64km/h), but forecasters warn this is just the start, as gusts could climb much higher over the next 24 hours.
An amber wind warning in force for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is the second most severe alert and signals the potential for serious disruption.
During this period, wind gusts could hit 80 to 90mph (129 to 145km/h), with conditions worsening through the evening rush hour and overnight.
Even after the warning expires, gusts of 50 to 60mph (80 to 96km/h) are expected to continue.
Winds of 50 to 70mph (80 to 112km/h) are likely across the region, with the strongest gusts near exposed coasts and hills.
Drivers and commuters are being urged to take extra care as travel disruption is possible.
Snow is also on the cards for higher ground.
The moors could see 0.8 to 2in (2 to 5cm) overnight, with up to 4in (10cm) in some spots.
