High winds batter Hampshire this morning (From Hampshire Chronicle)

High winds batter Hampshire this morning

8:57am Tuesday 3rd January 2012 in Alresford

SEVERE gales battered Hampshire today in some of the worst weather of the winter so far.

Fierce winds and driving rain swept in across Hampshire overnight with gusts topping 70 mph in unsheltered parts of the Solent.

Trees were blown down, blocking roads and ferries were cancelled.

In the Winchester area numerous trees were toppled including Finches Lane in Twyford, whaddon lane near Owslebury and in the Farley Mount area.

Sgt Stuart Gilmour, of Winchester police, said today: “There are trees down all over the place and all sort of problems.”

Met Office bosses have issued a yellow “be aware” alert for the south in its severe weather warnings.

In Lymington, the A337 Southampton Road was blocked, near Marsh Lane, due to a fallen tree.

Hamble Lane in Bursledon was also blocked due to a fallen telegraph pole.

Fallen trees also blocked the A333 at Blashford and Newtown Road, in Southampton.

Parts of Southampton were plunged into darkness after being hit by a power cut.

Ferrry company Wightlink also suspended its Lymington to Yarmouth crossing due to the wind.

A band of heavy rain swept across the country from midnight last night and was due to lash down all morning.

The worst hit parts of the country will be in the north where more severe warnings are in place - but high winds could also go on throughout the day in Hampshire with conditions only easing later in the afternoon.

A Met Office spokesman said: “It will be a thoroughly awful commute in the morning and won't be a great day for people returning to work. It won't be especially pleasant for cross Channel ferries either.

“From the perspective of the high winds, it is going to be a rough day.”