70mph winds set to batter Britain Strong winds and heavy rain will lash many parts of the country today. The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for south-west England from early afternoon. Forecaster Mark Seltzer said: "Strong winds, possibly up to gale force, are expected from the afternoon onwards in south-west England particularly Devon and Cornwall. On Friday the warning is extended to include south Wales and many parts of southern England as well as the South West, again with a risk of gales. The public should be careful when they are outside, and there is a danger of damage to trees. Winds should gradually ease from the South West during the day. Brendan Jones, senior forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "There are going to be potentially disruptive winds. This sort of Atlantic storm is more normally seen in the autumn and winter months. Winds will increase this afternoon in Devon and Cornwall and there could be gusts of 60 to 65mph, or even 70mph on exposed coasts and headlands. Through tonight and Friday, the centre of the storm will move slowly north east, touching areas as far away at north Wales and exiting Britain as far north as Northumberland. Tomorrow, south Wales could have gusts of 60mph and many areas of England which are well inland could see gusts exceeding 50mph. There will also be a lot of rain in the next 48 hours.