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Britain is set to be battered by 90mph winds as forecasters warn of the worst weather since the Great Storm of 1987.

As thousands of families prepare for the beginning of half term, huge areas could be besieged with the worst conditions in more than two decades.

Experts predict a significant storm could develop close to the UK starting on Sunday night.

By Monday morning the exceptionally strong winds are predicted to ravage the southern half of the UK, before powerful tornado type storms, capable of bringing down trees or causing structural damage, spread further towards the midlands and north.

Energy companies have issued warnings of potential major disruption to transport and power cuts.

Met Office senior forecaster Helen Chivers said: ‘There is potential for a big storm to hit at the end of the weekend.

“But even before this storm there will be heavy rain and strong wind moving across the UK with very unsettled conditions.

“The storm could move to the south of us, but at the moment it looks as though it will be moving across the central parts of the UK , with the risk of strongest wind in Humber to mid wales south, with speeds of 70 - 80mph.

“There is potential across the extreme south coast of up speeds of up to 90mph.

“This is not a storm you see every winter. The storm of 1987 is one, and the Burns day storm in January 1990 is another.

“It is important to realise the track of this low is at the moment not certain. In this type of situation it is really, really important that people keep up to date with the most up to date warnings.”

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The Environment Agency has issued more than 20 flood alerts for north England, the Midlands, the South East and Wales, and motoring organisations are urging drivers take extra care in wet weather.

The Met Office has also issued a number of severe weather warnings, for the Central, Tayside and Fife, London and the South East, south-west Scotland, Lothian Borders, the South West, Strathclyde and Wales.

Experts say the storm has shown particularly unusual signs, developing much closer to the UK and potentially tracking across the country while still in its most powerful phase.

A strong jet stream and warm air close to the UK are both contributing to the development and strength of the storm.

Despite predicted above-average temperatures The Met Office last night said gale force winds and heavy rain are triggering severe weather warnings into next week.

Matt Dallaway from motoring group RAC, said: “While cars have improved significantly in technical terms in recent years they are still not waterproof and will break down if they are driven through deep water.”

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