Flood And Wind Warnings Across Britain - Also Warmest December Night Ever Recorded - Daily Mail

The south of England was lashed on Wednesday by 70mph gales and heavy rain prompting fears of chaos throughout the region. Flood warnings are in force across the country in anticipation of the buffeting that is due to last throughout the weekend.

Storm force winds have already wrenched 60 ancient trees from their roots at the National Trust's Saltram Estate, near Plymouth. And in Cornwall, a train driver is lucky to be alive after a giant oak fell on his cab, smashing through his window and striking him on the head.

Across southern England this morning, commuters battled against winds of up to 70mph and heavy rain showers. The winds will be strongest on the coast, but it is also feared they will damage power lines and buildings inland. John Hammond, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "We have got a spell of wet and windy weather arriving across the whole country, but the worst of it will be across the south of the UK.

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Despite the wind and rain, temperatures have remained mild for the time of year, with highs of around 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius). Monday was the warmest December night on record, with a minimum temperature of 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13.6 degrees Celsius) in the South East. And the Year 2006 is on course to beat the previous hottest year, 1990, when the average was 51 degrees Fahrenheit (10.67 degrees Celsius).

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