WINDS of almost 50mph have battered Suffolk today - and forecasters warn more could be ahead.

Anthony Bond

WINDS of almost 50mph have battered Suffolk today - and forecasters warn more could be ahead.

The region woke to extreme winds today as other parts of the country were also affected with severe weather.

Emma Sharples, a forecaster with Weatherquest, said the strongest winds in the county reached 47mph this morning but said the worst was over until the weekend.

“I think we have seen the strongest winds for today which was this morning and that is the strongest winds out of the way for now,” she said.

“Tonight it will be dry and still quite breezy and through tomorrow we will see more brightness coming through and perhaps more sunshine and it should be dry as well. It will be quite windy.

“On Friday there will be early rain and then things should brighten up in the afternoon with some sunshine and not quite so windy.”

However, Mrs Sharples warned that strong winds similar to this morning could return overnight on Saturday into Sunday.

The Environment Agency has 45 flood warnings in place across the UK, with the majority in northern England. Highways have been closed and homes are at risk in towns across Lancashire, especially in areas near to the River Irwell and River Calder.

- For more on the story, see tomorrow's paper.