Strong gusts are set to hit Exeter tonight, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow weather warning of wind.
The warning, which informs the public strong winds could bring down branches or trees, has been issued between 9pm today and 9am on Wednesday.
The public should be aware of possible debris being blown around, and all motorists should drive with care.
Gusty winds may cause problems for high-sided vehicles on prone routes, and drivers should be braced for potential localised travel disruption.
Heavy downpours are forecast in Exeter from 6pm today; due to subside to light rain by around 9pm. Wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 47mph tonight, and it will feel as though temperatures are between freezing and 2C.
The AA advises motorists driving in windy weather to "expect sudden gusts at any time but particularly on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges or when overtaking high-sided vehicles".
Motorists should keep both hands on the wheel, particularly if they are being buffeted by the wind or the slipstreams of other vehicles. Drivers should also keep their speed down, because the faster they are travelling the further off-course they are likely to drift in a sudden gust before they get the vehicle back under control.
Keep your distance from all other vehicles and take particular care around cyclists, motorcyclists and horse-riders, the AA says.
If you break down on the motorway or on any busy road in gusty weather, be aware lorries and other high-sided vehicles could be blown off course suddenly and may veer onto the hard shoulder.
It is therefore safer to move to a safe location away from the vehicle rather than wait in the car to be rescued, the AA says.
If you see twigs or small branches in the road there could be a tree or large branch in the road around the next bend. Hitting debris like this at speed could be fatal, the AA warns, so drivers must keep their speed down and drive with great care.
Wednesday is set to be dry and sunny, but strong wind gusts of up to 36mph remain. Thursday is forecast to be cloudy but significantly warmer – temperatures could feel as high as 4C and wind gusts will have subsided.
Light showers are forecast on Friday morning in Exeter, followed by a cloudy afternoon with sunny intervals.
The Saturday forecast is similar, and temperatures could feel as high as 4C.
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