With a warning for snow already in place and temperatures dropping across Devon, the Met Office have released a severe weather warning as gales are forecast this evening and into Friday.

The Met Office says that strong northwesterly winds are expected to develop across parts of South Wales and southwest England this evening, persisting overnight, before gradually easing tomorrow morning.

Inland gusts are likely to widely reach 50-60 mph, with 70 mph possible along exposed coasts and over high ground.

The public should be aware of the possibility of disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions, particularly for high-sided vehicles.

The wild weather is due to a "small, but vigorous area of low pressure" moving south down the Irish Sea to affect southwestern parts of England and Wales.

The strong winds will develop along the southern flank of the depression.

The strongest winds are expected to be along coasts exposed to the northwest, over high ground and also near heavy showers.

The showers will be a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow; snow primarily over higher ground, where some slight accumulations are likely, but temporarily at low-levels.

Weather warnings covering the whole Great Britain.

Somerset County Gazette: