[H1]Update: Batten down the hatches - Storm Eunice is coming.[H1]

Update: Storm Eunice is on its way with the Met Office issuing amber weather warnings - meaning 'danger to life' from Storm Eunice.

Our area is set to take a buffeting later this week with two storms expected to blow in from Atlantic.

An amber weather warning has been issued to replace yellow warnings for the majority of the county including Hitchin - with 'very strong winds' expected.

The speed of expected gusts has been revised upwards from 70mph to 80mph as well as possible snowfalls.

The warning comes as Storm Eunice is expected to hit the country on Friday, with the Met Office saying 'significant disruption' to services is possible.

The Met Office is warning of 'fallen trees and damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs', plus cuts to power and mobile phone coverage, and transport disruption.

The warning for Storm Eunice has been put in place from 12am - 9pm on Friday, February 18.

The Met Office has also cautioned that fallen trees, damage to buildings and homes and power lines being brought down are a possibility.

There is a small chance that roads, bridges and railway lines could close, with long delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights all possible.

Discussing Storm Eunice a spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Gusts of up to 80mph are expected over heavily populated areas on Friday - perhaps even stronger in some places.

"This system is also expected to bring some heavy rain."

There have been four named storms so far this season, most recently storms Malik and Corrie at the end of January. There were a total of six named storms during the previous autumn and winter of 2020-21, including Storm Arwen which caused havoc in the autumn.