Keep an eye on the weather if you're travelling TODAY says local forecaster

STRONG winds and squally rain may affect your travel plans on The Solent today (Friday).

All ferries and hovercraft services are running to timetable, as of 7.45am this morning.

Last night (Thursday), the Isle of Wight Met Service issued an updated weather advisory for strong wind, with wind speeds predicted to be as high as 50mph in exposed coastal and hilly areas.

READ MORE: Strong wind weather advisory for the Isle of Wight

Jamie Russell, of the Isle of Wight Met Service, told the County Press this morning the strong winds and rain will continue until lunchtime and that travellers should check the service status of ferries and, in particular, Hovertravel's hovercraft flights.

"The rain will continue to be drizzly, on and off, with possibly some heavier spells later," he said.

"The strong winds — which are only really concentrated along the South Coast — will continue for the next four or five hours.

"But after mid-day, they should start to ease off.

"Over the next couple of hours, it is worth keeping an eye on the ferries, although conditions are more likely to affect hovercrafts.

"Over land, the winds don't appear to be too bad."

More to follow ...