THE IW Met Service has issued an amber weather warning for between 7am and 5pm on Friday (February 18), due to severe gales.

A small but very powerful area of low pressure will develop just to the west of the UK and rapidly intensify as it crosses from west to east across central parts of England.

Along the southern flank, the IW Met Service is expecting some extremely long winds to develop, especially affecting coastal and hillier areas.

South-westerly wind gusts of 60–70mph are possible almost anywhere across the Island, potentially up to 80–90mph in more exposed regions of the south and west, with the coast and downs likely to see the highest wind speeds.

 

Blustery conditions today (Tuesday) which will get worse on Friday.

The IW Met Service has warned that structural damage in more exposed areas is possible.

There will be very large waves around the coast, with heights reaching more than five meters.

Sudden wave ‘surges’, where two or more waves combine, are expected, giving a sweeping effect.

These waves will be hazardous to beach walkers.

Read more: Storm Eunice Met Office weather warning for Isle of Wight 

However, the service is not expecting much coastal flooding in the Solent, but some slight breaching of sea defences is possible.

Significant travel and transport disruption is likely, especially to cross Solent travel.

An amber warning means the same potential disruptions and damage as a yellow warning, but there is a higher likelihood.

The risk of accident or injury due to the weather is significantly heightened, with a potential risk to life.

The Met Office has kept the Island on a yellow weather warning.