Storm Eunice is set to hit the UK on early Friday morning.

An red weather warning from the Met Office covers Dorset, with an amber warning covering much of England and some of Scotland and Wales.

A rare red warning was issued in the early hours of Friday morning from 10am until 3pm.

READ MORE - Live updates as Storm Eunice hits Dorset

High wind speeds are expected, and could reach up to the 90mph mark in some areas within the red weather warning.

Here's everything you'll need to know about Storm Eunice and its potential impact on Dorset.

What is the forecast in Dorset for Storm Eunice?

Storm Eunice should start brewing at around 3am on Friday morning and last throughout the day.

There'll be a strong chance of rain leading up to midnight on Thursday which will carry on through the early hours of the morning and last up until about 8am.

After that, there may actually be a chance of sun throughout the rest of the morning, although clouds are still likely.

When will the strongest winds from Storm Eunice affect Dorset?

The strongest winds are likely to occur between 4am and 1pm, with gusts up to 64mph at around 10am.

A red warning is in place from 10am until 3pm.

Read more: 

What to expect from an amber weather warning

According to the Met Office, an amber weather warning could mean:

  • There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life
  • Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
  • Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
  • There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur , perhaps affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
  • Large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, and flooding of some coastal properties seems likely.
  • It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees.

In issuing the red warning, a Met Office spokesperson said: "Extremely strong west to southwesterly winds will develop mid morning on Friday, transferring eastwards across southern and southeast England through the middle of the day then slowly easing from the west during the afternoon.

"Gusts of 60-70 mph are likely widely, perhaps briefly 80 mph in a few places, mainly on English Channel coasts." 

What's been cancelled in BCP area?  

There are a number changes to BCP Council services tomorrow:

  • Refuse, recycling and cleansing collections are all suspended so please don’t put your bin out at the kerbside as it won’t be collected. Collections will resume next week as normal.
  • All Recycling Centres will be closed.
  • Please stay away from the coastline for your safety.
  • The Twin Sails and Poole Bridge will operate on a revised lifting schedule subject to increasing wind speeds.
  • Tricuro will be closing their day services
  • Seafront toilets will be closed apart from Sandbanks, Bournemouth Pier and Boscombe Overstrand toilets which will be open between 9am and 4pm  
  • The Tourist Information Centre and Smugglers Cove Golf on Pier Approach will be closed although the phone lines will remain open   
  • Piers will remain closed   
  • Boscombe Car Park will remain closed  
  • The local Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated.
  • Power cuts are likely and so residents should try to make sure their phones and other electronic devices are fully charged and they have access to torches.
  • Highway teams are on standby to deal with whatever the weather brings, whether there's a need to remove fallen trees, or close roads until hazards can be safely dealt with

What about schools in Dorset?

Schools have been advised to close in Dorset and BCP. Parents are being advised to check on school websites and also for arrangements for any key workers information. Some schools may not make a decision on their school closure until Friday morning when they know staff arrangements.

Find out more here

What about flooding?

The Environment Agency has warned or storm surges and powerful waves.

There are five flood warnings across Dorset and four flood alerts in the county.

Tidal surges and powerful waves: Five flood warnings issued in Dorset ahead of Storm Eunice