GALES, FLOODS AND CHAOS ON THE ROADS...IT’S FRIDAY 13TH

Forecasters yesterday issued an early severe weather warning ahead of the first major storm of the autumn tearing in from the Atlantic overnight into Saturday.

The West, North-west and Wales face the worst pummelling although no-one is expected to escape.

Much of the nation is on high alert for flooding and treacherous driving conditions. Motorists have been told to expect severe delays with power lines and trees likely to be brought down.

Intense downpours of more than two inches (60mm) – half the average for November – threaten towns such as Boscastle in Cornwall, devastated by flash floods in August 2004.

A Met Office spokesman said: “The West and North-west will be worst affected. In the South there’ll be gale force winds gusting to 50mph and 60mph with the potential for storm force winds gusting to 70mph in the north of Scotland.”

But temperatures are expected to be mild with the weekend dominated by blustery weather and a new band of rain moving north on Sunday.

Independent forecaster Jonathan Powell of Positive Weather Solutions said we should “batten down the hatches”.

He said: “This weather system will pack a punch, and whereas the wind speeds will touch gale force, I’m more concerned with rain amounts. Flooding is bound to occur. There is also probably more where this came from during November.”