GUSTS of up to 70mph could batter Dorset tonight, the Met Office has warned.

The forecasted gale force winds, strong enough to break branches and damage buildings, prompted Met Office experts to issue a severe weather warning for Monday evening and all day Tuesday.

It is a “yellow warning”, notifying residents to “be aware” of the conditions.

However, Dr Richard Wild, a forensic meteorologist at Bournemouth-based WeatherNet, says the whole of the UK could find itself in the eye of an even stronger storm, with deadly, hurricane-force winds, by Friday night.

“At the moment this more serious storm hasn’t formed,” said Dr Wild.

“But there are signs it could come in from the south west and have hurricane-force winds.

“We are keeping a close eye on things at the moment.

“We will have a better idea of the situation after the next few days.”

Today’s winds will begin to pick up as the afternoon progresses.

There will also be light rain, turning heavier by evening.

Dr Wild said: “Gale force winds are expected around teatime and will continue until the early hours of Tuesday morning.”

An expected 15-20mm of rain is forecast to fall on the Bournemouth area over the next two days.

The Met Office stated: “Western and southern areas of the UK are at greatest risk of very windy weather on Monday evening and during Tuesday which could lead to disruption.”

The storms that hit the Scotland and the north of England last week have been described as the worst in a decade.