Wind gusts of almost 60mph are set to hit Cornwall tonight, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow weather warning.
The wind warning, which informs the public strong gusts could bring down branches or trees, has been issued between 9pm today and 9am on Wednesday.
The public should be aware of possible debris being blown around, and all motorists should drive with care. Gusty winds may cause problems for high-sided vehicles on prone routes, and drivers should be braced for potential localised travel disruption.
Hail showers are forecast in parts of Cornwall from 6pm today; due to subside by around 9pm. Wind gusts could reach speeds of 57mph tonight, and are unlikely to drop below 48mph.
It will feel as though temperatures are between freezing and 2C.
The AA advises motorists driving in windy weather, to "expect sudden gusts at any time but particularly on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges or when overtaking high-sided vehicles".
Motorists should keep both hands on the wheel, particularly if they are being buffeted by the wind or the slipstreams of other vehicles. Drivers should also keep their speed down, because the faster they are travelling the further off-course they are likely to drift in a sudden gust before they get the vehicle back under control.
Keep your distance from all other vehicles and take particular care around cyclists, motorcyclists and horse-riders, the AA says.
If you break down on the motorway or on any busy road in gusty weather, be aware lorries and other high-sided vehicles could be blown off course suddenly and may veer onto the hard shoulder.
It is therefore safer to move to a safe location away from the vehicle rather than wait in the car to be rescued, the AA says.
If you see twigs or small branches in the road there could be a tree or large branch in the road around the next bend. Hitting debris like this at speed could be fatal, the AA warns, so drivers must keep their speed down and drive with great care.
Heavy downpours are forecast tomorrow from around 9am until mid-afternoon, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 49mph. A dry but cloudy evening should follow, but strong wind gusts will remain.
Thursday will feel considerably warmer – up to 5C – and wind gusts will have subsided, the Met Office says.
They may pick up again on Friday, however, reaching speeds of up to 34mph. The forecast is dry but cloudy, and temperatures could feel as high as 3C.
The mercury is set to climb further still on Saturday – temperatures could feel as high as 6C, and no wind gusts are forecast.
