The potential for gusts of up to 60mph have been forecast to batter Essex later this week.
Met Office forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for the entire east of England region for Thursday night (December 11) into Friday (December 12).
The heavy winds will then last for much of the day before slowly subsiding from the west by the end of the day.
Turning milder next week with strong winds on Wed/Thurs. Next weekend could bring first sleet/snow of winter 2014/15 to Essex.
— Essex Weather Centre (@EssexWeather) December 7, 2014It will coincide with heavy rain and snow over higher ground in Scotland and in the north of England.
The Met Office chief forecaster said the gales were likely to be severe, with gusts reaching up 70mph around the county's coastal areas.
"This is a very dynamic situation, and details of this development will likely change," he said.
"As such, this alert will be updated in the coming days as confidence grows in track and timing of this low pressure system."
