The Met Office has now upgraded their weather warnings for Cornwall and Devon, with an 'Amber Alert' for both wind and rain, amid warnings of gales and massive waves.

The Met Office says that the spell of heavy rain is expected to affect much of Cornwall, south and east Devon, along with parts of Somerset and Dorset during Friday morning, clearing to the east during the afternoon. As much as 15 to 25 mm of rain will fall widely within the Amber warning area with 40 mm possible in a few places.

A further period of very strong winds is possible across southern and southeastern counties of England from Friday afternoon, overnight into Saturday morning. Gusts of 70 mph are likely in the Amber warning area with isolated 80 mph gusts possible along most exposed parts of the south coast. Winds will ease from the west during Saturday morning.

The Met Office adds that the public should be aware of the potential for disruption to travel as well as trees being uprooted and perhaps damage to buildings. The very strong winds will be accompanied by large waves along the south coast and the public should also be aware of these potentially dangerous conditions and also the possibility of coastal flooding.

The chief forecaster at the Met Office said: "Yet another storm is now developing to the west of the Azores. It will run northeastwards across western parts of the UK during Friday and into Saturday, before clearing to the northeast. The associated frontal systems will bring spells of heavy and persistent rain, especially across the southern parts of England and Wales as well as further very strong winds.

This warning accompanies a larger yellow warning and has been issued as there is now more confidence in the evolution of the system leading to a medium risk of significant impacts.
Yet another storm has developed to the west of the Azores. It will run northeastwards across western and northern parts of the UK during Friday and into Saturday, before clearing to the northeast.

Around the southern flank of this storm very strong southerly or southwesterly winds are expected to develop, primarily affecting southern and southeastern counties of England. There remains some uncertainty in the track and timings of this system but gusts of 60-70 mph are possible with perhaps 80 mph along most exposed parts of the south coast. With these strong winds some large waves are also likely along the south coast and there is the potential for some coastal flooding where this coincides with high tides.