The London Weather Station

Winter's most ferocious storm is heading our way, weathermen warned last night.

According to Meteogroup UK, a band of exceptionally low pressure is bringing heavy rain and severe gails of up to 80 mph our way.

Exposed western areas are expected to get the brunt of it as well as coastal parts of the South. This could cause significant disruption to travel and power supplies.

With all the extreme weather and occurences we have been experiencing recently - I am quite apprehencive about just how strong this storm is going to be!

This storm has been is following strong winds that have swept through Britain this week.
They strengthened over Europe to leave a trail of destruction across several countries.
Thirteen people were killed by falling trees, traffic accidents or debris from damaged buildings.

At the moment, the storm is brewing in the Atlantic and is expected to hit the Southern part of the country early on Monday morning the 10th March 2008.

Senior meteorologist of Meteogroup Stephen Davenport said: "This could be the strongest storm of the winter. This is exceptional weather. The forecast low pressure should give an idea of the ferocity of it. The winds we're looking at are enough to cause damage to property and trees."

During the day the high winds are expected to ease but increase again in the evening, with fierce gusts after dark in the west and south of Britain. Mr Davenport said the storm was expected to brew from a strong jet stream which will be crossing the Atlantic and Britain during Sunday and Monday.

He said."Wind speeds five or six miles up in the atmosphere will approach 240mph, anyone flying back from North America at the end of the weekend might do so in record time."

Last night a spokesman for the Met Office said experts were expecting the storm to be over by the end of Monday. But he added: "If it develops as expected, we are certainly in for a big storm with severe damage a possibility.There is exceptionally low pressure in that weather front at the moment and the south of the country will come off worst."

Earlier in the week snow storms hit the West Country, northern England and Scotland, with up to two inches falling in some areas. The big cold came as a chilly reminder that winter is far from over, despite February being declared the sunniest ever.

Check out

• the weather in London today
• the weather in London this weekend