THE south coast is bracing itself for damaging winds tomorrow, with weather experts predicting gusts of up to 80mph - enough to tear down trees

Severe gales are predicted to arrive by Sunday lunchtime and last into Monday during which time The Met Office says buildings could be damaged.

Heavy rain of up to 15mm will precede the winds and drivers are being warned to take extra care on the roads - a heavy downpour on Friday afternoon caused a 16-vehicle pile-up on the M3 north of Southampton.

The situation has been caused by warm, moist tropical air from the Caribbean colliding with freezing, dry air from Canada. The result is a depression that has developed very quickly out in the Atlantic and is now charging towards Britain.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "People should be careful of falling branches and take special care on the roads during the next couple of days.

"Winds of this strength are enough to blow down trees, especially where the soil has been weakened by recent rain. The worst hit areas will be those exposed along the south coast and the Isle of Wight, though everywhere is in for a bit of a rough time."