More than 7,000 homes in the West Country and south Wales, which was also buffeted by gales, were without electricity this morning. Fire services reported dozens of fallen trees across roads and damage to some houses.

Transport was severely affected, with all sailings from Dover cancelled and the port closed. A number of flights were cancelled or diverted at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, while rail services into London and elsewhere were badly delayed. Accidents, high winds and, further north, blizzards, caused problems on many roads.

Coastguards were trying to tow a tanker carrying gas oil to safety after it encountered difficulties in stormy conditions off the Isle of Wight. Although the South West and Wales were worst hit, severe weather warnings were imposed for much of England and Northern Ireland, and forecasters warned of heavy snow in parts of Scotland. Snow ploughs were also brought out to clear the A66 trans-Pennine route in Cumbria.

The storm, caused by one of the deepest weather depressions for several years, brought a "potent cocktail" of low pressure, strong winds, pounding waves and high tides, likely to last until Wednesday and bringing the risk of major flooding, the Environment Agency said.

British Airways cancelled a number of short-haul flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports this morning after air traffic controllers imposed controls on the frequency of take-offs and landings, and some inbound flights were diverted. A few flights at Bristol airport were delayed.

Many rail lines had speed limits imposed, and commuters heading into London from Surrey faced delays after a fallen tree halted South West Trains' services between Staines and Windsor and Eton.