Met Office issues yellow weather warning for strong winds hitting parts of the New Forest and Christchurch

PARTS of the New Forest and Christchurch are set for strong winds this weekend, bringing travel disruption to an already busy pre-Christmas period.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Sunday, which runs from midnight until 9pm.

This is due to a prolonged period of strong winds which it says will likely lead to some disruption, including transport delays.

The warning says it is likely that coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves and there could be loss of power and other services.

A Met Office spokesperson added: “Strong and gusty north-westerly winds are expected to develop on Sunday. Gusts of 50-60mph are expected quite widely, and around some exposed coasts and hills of gusts 70mph is possible.

“In addition, squally showers are likely with some hail and thunder possible in places.

“This has the potential to cause delays to public transport and some disruption to the road network, which may have a greater than usual impact given the busier pre-Christmas weekend travel.”