POLICE in Trowbridge were tonight dealing with an incident in which traffic lights blew over in the winds as Storm Dudley raged across Wiltshire.

The traffic lights close to the Trowbridge Railway Station were uprooted during the storm which is expected to last into Thursday.

The Met Office in Exeter has today issued an amber weather warning for the South West region with Storm Dudley winds forecast to gust at 60-70mph in the north of England.

Storm Eunice which follows on from Thursday into Friday has been upgraded to amber with the weather man warning it’s the worst in two  decades

Weather experts forecast that Storm Eunice may cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds in central and southern areas.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “An active jet stream is helping to drive low-pressure systems across the country, with both storms set to cause some disruption and National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued. 

“Significant disruption is possible from both Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice with strong winds one of the main themes of the current forecast.

"The most impactful winds from Dudley will be in the north on Wednesday afternoon, as shown in the amber warning area.

"Storm Eunice is expected to track eastwards from early on Friday, bringing the most significant winds to the central and southern areas of the UK, with some gusts possible in excess of 95mph in exposed coastal areas.” 

Earlier this week, the Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the Mid Bristol Avon area which includes parts of Wiltshire.

Flooding is possible for the River Avon and tributaries, including Melksham and Bradford on Avon, so be prepared.

Yellow and amber warnings for wind have been issued for Storm Eunice, which is going to impact much of the UK on Friday.

The most significant wind gusts are expected in the south and west of the UK, with an amber warning now in force here from the early hours of Friday morning.

Exposed coastal areas could see wind gusts in excess of 95mph, while inland areas could still see gusts to around 80mph, bringing the potential for fallen trees, damage to buildings and travel disruption. 

Although Storm Eunice’s strongest winds will be on its southern edge, the northern flank of the system brings the potential for some snow to northern areas.

A yellow warning for wind and snow has been issued covering Northern Ireland, northern England and southern Scotland, where potentially up to 20cm of snow could accumulate over high ground, with up to 5cm possible in some lower areas.

Brisk winds in this area could cause blizzard-like conditions and drifting of lying snow, reducing visibility, and making driving conditions difficult.