People should avoid unnecessary travel tomorrow morning during what is expected to be the worst storm for decades to hit south west London and Surrey.

The storm has been named St Jude after the patron saint of lost causes, whose feast day is tomorrow.

Paul Davis from the Met Office today advised people to avoid unnecessary travel on Monday morning, when winds of up to 80mph are expected.

Britain's weather service has issued an amber warning for the southern half of England for the storm, which has the power to bring down trees and cause building damage, which could lead to power cuts and transport chaos for commuters.

There is also expected to be between two and four cm of rain to fall within the space of six to nine hours overnight.

David Cameron said he has spoken to the organisations responsible for public safety during the storm.

The storm, travelling from over the Atlantic, is expected southwest England late tonight, before moving north-eastwards across England and southern Wales.

Heavy rain will follow with strong winds in the early hours of tomorrow, but the storm is expected to have moved out over the North Sea by lunchtime, leaving strong breezes in its wake.

Gusts of 115 mph were recorded during the Great Storm of 1987, when 18 people died and thousands of homes were without power for several days.

Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

But this is expected to appear much closer to land, potentially moving across the country while in its most powerful phase.

We will keep you updated with the latest transport and weather news in south-west London and north Surrey throughout the day.

To report any incidents, road closures, or incidents, call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6392 or email digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk.