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UK braced for storms and flooding
Bad weather in February caused travel chaos and damage
Large parts of England and Wales are preparing for what is predicted to be the worst storm of the winter.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) expected in south and west Britain.
Forecasters warned storms on Monday and Tuesday could disrupt travel and bring down power lines and trees.
The Environment Agency says strong winds combined with spring high tides may cause flooding in coastal areas.
It is urging people to stay away from coastal areas, particularly in Wales, and the south west and north west of England, from Sunday to Wednesday.
It has also warned people against going to the coast to watch the rough seas and big waves because of the danger of being swept out to sea.
'Dangerous place'
Emergency planning teams are meeting in Pembrokeshire and Cornwall to prepare for possible floods.
David Rooke, head of risk management at the Environment Agency, told the BBC the predicted combination of up to 80mph gusts and higher than normal tides are likely to lead to flooding in coastal areas.
"We're giving a very strong message to stay away from coastal areas," he said.
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"There will be huge waves, a lot of spray and it will be a very dangerous place to be."
BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said a storm of this ferocity usually occurs once a year.
Much of the severe weather this winter had hit the north of Britain, whereas this storm would affect the south and the west, he added.
Martin Young, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "It will be very windy for many parts of the UK in the early part of next week, but especially so across coasts in the south. "Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday causing severe gales. "After a brief respite, further westerly severe gales are forecast for later in the day and into the early hours of Tuesday."
Bad weather in February caused travel chaos and damageLarge parts of England and Wales are preparing for what is predicted to be the worst storm of the winter.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) expected in south and west Britain.
Forecasters warned storms on Monday and Tuesday could disrupt travel and bring down power lines and trees.
The Environment Agency says strong winds combined with spring high tides may cause flooding in coastal areas.
It is urging people to stay away from coastal areas, particularly in Wales, and the south west and north west of England, from Sunday to Wednesday.
It has also warned people against going to the coast to watch the rough seas and big waves because of the danger of being swept out to sea.
'Dangerous place'
Emergency planning teams are meeting in Pembrokeshire and Cornwall to prepare for possible floods.
David Rooke, head of risk management at the Environment Agency, told the BBC the predicted combination of up to 80mph gusts and higher than normal tides are likely to lead to flooding in coastal areas.
"We're giving a very strong message to stay away from coastal areas," he said.
FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 1188
"There will be huge waves, a lot of spray and it will be a very dangerous place to be."
BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said a storm of this ferocity usually occurs once a year.
Much of the severe weather this winter had hit the north of Britain, whereas this storm would affect the south and the west, he added.
Martin Young, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "It will be very windy for many parts of the UK in the early part of next week, but especially so across coasts in the south. "Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday causing severe gales. "After a brief respite, further westerly severe gales are forecast for later in the day and into the early hours of Tuesday."
