A 'major incident' has been declared in some parts of the UK as a terrifying 'sting jet' hurtles towards the country.
Storm Ciaran has already smashed into the British Isles and Channel Islands, forcing airports and schools to close.
Over 100mph winds and heavy rainfall are set to wreak havoc across the UK as the weather front barrels across southern England.
A 'major incident' has been declared in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as the areas brace for a fierce battering.
Advert
Local fire service officials have warned there is a 'potential risk to life', as well as damage to buildings.
Brits have also been warned to be wary of falling trees and flooding, as well as high tides and strong winds in coastal areas.
Across the south coast, an amber warning runs from 6am to 5pm Thursday (2 November) with winds expected to reach 70mph to 80mph, with the potential for 85mph and large waves.
A further amber warning is in place until 11am in Cornwall and Devon, with the Met Office predicting Storm Ciaran will bring winds of 75mph to 85mph, with 65mph to 75mph gusts inland.
Advert
A red wind warning, the highest level, was issued by Jersey Met into Thursday, with people warned to avoid outside activity due to predicted gusts of almost 100mph.
Overnight, the French coast saw winds of up to 110mph in western Brittany.
All flights from Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney airports on Thursday have been cancelled.
Forecasters have warned that there is a possibility of a 'sting jet' developing which - according to the Met Office - is a small area of very intense winds.
Advert
The rare weather phenomenon is associated with areas with rapidly deepening low pressure.
They can form inside storms passing over the UK, Ireland and parts of northern and central Europe.
Winds easily exceed 100mph, but generally only affect an area of around 30 miles and only last for up to four hours.
Still, it is regarded as extremely dangerous and creates significant damage and risk to life.
Advert
Sting jets were only formally recognised when one occurred during the Great Storm of October 1987 - when wind speeds reached 115mph and millions of trees were brought down.
It is feared Storm Ciaran could be another record-breaking weather bomb.
Commuters in southern England were urged to work from home by Southern Rail, as transport will experience huge delays.
Southeastern Rail 'strongly advised' passengers not to travel on routes in and out of London before 9am on Thursday as they assess any fallen trees and debris on the line.
Olivia Burke