Gales could hit southern parts of England and Wales towards the end of the week with forecasters warning stormy conditions could cause damage and travel disruption.
Low pressure systems could batter southern parts of the UK on Friday, the Met Office said, with the most likely scenario for gusts of 50-60mph.
However, the forecaster, which has issued a yellow severe weather warning, said there was a stronger signal that the worst of the winds would pass south of the UK.
A statement, which was softened later on Wednesday, said: “There is still the potential for gales to affect southern parts of England and Wales on Friday.
“The most likely scenario is for gusts widely in the 50mph to 60mph bracket, which could affect travel and produce some minor damage. Gusts of 60mph to 70mph may still occur in southern counties, where there remains a small chance of 80mph gusts in exposed coastal areas.
“If such winds were to happen, we would expect damage to trees and perhaps to buildings, possible disruption to power supplies, as well as delayed travel.”
Earlier forecasts suggested conditions might meet the threshold for naming a storm. Doris is the next name in the winter storm naming system for the 2016-2017 season after Angus, Barbara and Conor were designated earlier in the period.
The chief forecaster’s assessment on the Met Office website added: “A number of potentially vigorous low pressure systems are likely to move quickly towards north-west Europe later this week.
“One of these, on Friday, may affect southern parts of the UK. However there is, if anything, a stronger signal, that the worst of the winds will pass south of the UK.
“Even so, spells of wet and windy weather will be affecting many areas later this week and over the weekend, with surface water issues an additional hazard in south-western parts of both England and Wales.”
