The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind and rain across Essex this week. 

Forecasters released their latest predictions for bad weather sweeping into the county from around midday on Wednesday, Januarry 14 and lasting until 9am Thursday morning. 

Authorities in Essex, Southend and Thurrock have been warned to be braced for the bad weather. 

Colder weather is expected to spread southeast.

The Met Office says the public should be aware of the risk of disruption to travel due to standing water and spray as well as localised flooding.

Another Atlantic low pressure system is expected to deepen significantly as it approaches the UK.

The low pressure centre is likely to track across the northwest of Britain, whilst an active frontal system comes southeast across England and Wales.

This system has the potential to produce 20-40 mm of rainfall in the warning area, with as much as 60-80 mm over higher ground in the west. 

To the south of this system, gales or severe gales are expected to develop. Gusts of 50-65 mph are likely quite widely through the warning area, whilst gusts of 75 mph are likely around southern and western coasts and over exposed hills.

The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to transport and possibly power supplies.