A red level wind alert has been issued for the Channel Islands shipping area, along with warnings of the risk of flooding.

Winds are set to increase to storm force 10, with gusts to 75 miles an hour.

Wind Warning 14/01 issued 08:48 UTC Thursday 04 January 2024. pic.twitter.com/ocdjLbAt2o

— CI Weather Warnings (@Jersey_MetCI) January 4, 2024

The warning covers the CI shipping area, while localised forecasts suggest it could reach gale F8, perhaps briefly severe gale F9 at first with gusts to 60mph in Jersey later and gale F8 to severe gale F9, perhaps briefly storm F10 at first with gusts to 65mph in Guernsey.

Jersey Met has also issued advice about the risk of flooding, with the islands predicted to get up to 25 millimetres of rain.

Paul Aked, Head of Meteorology, says it's set to be a 'very wet day'.

"We have been working with government colleagues and other agencies to plan ahead and make sure we are as prepared as we can be."

In Jersey, the government advised people who have been affected by flooding in the past to prepare for the eventuality.

That includes those in the Grands Vaux area, where 60 families were forced from their homes in January 2023.

Motorists are advised to take extra care on the roads, particularly in places like Guernsey's Vauxbelets dip.

Days of bad weather have caused travel disruption for ferry services.

The first passengers of the year arrived in the islands this morning. Hundreds have faced long delays returning from their Christmas holidays.

Meanwhile supplies of fresh food and other essentials got in on the Goodwill to replenish empty supermarket shelves.

The forecast from the weekend is for drier but colder conditions, with temperatures likely to struggle above 6 degrees Celsius early next week.