Drivers are be urged to take care on the roads this morning as Storm Aileen rages on.

The storm hit the UK last night, bringing 75mph winds and torrential rain.

Drivers are being urged to take extra care on motorways and major A roads this morning.

Yesterday, Highways England issued an amber ‘be aware’ alert across the country in response to a Met Office forecast of strong winds and heavy rain, which came into force at 9pm last night and runs until 9am this morning.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning, which is currently not in effect in Dorset, but strong winds are still expected and the Highways England warning applies to the whole of the UK.

Here's our explainer about when storms are named and what they will be called this season.

A spokesman said: "Westerly winds are expected to increase during this evening into the early hours tomorrow morning with gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour possible over exposed roads during the night. Winds should begin to decrease during the morning peak period."

Richard Leonard, Head of Road User Safety at Highways England, said:

“We’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys, with strong winds and heavy rain expected from Tuesday evening until Wednesday morning.

“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down and avoid using exposed sections of road if possible.”

It generally takes at least twice as long to stop on a wet road as on a dry road because tyres have less grip on the surface. In wet weather you should:

•           Slow down if the rain and spray from vehicles is making it difficult to see and be seen

•           Keep well back from the vehicle in front as this will increase your ability to see and plan ahead

•           Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually if the steering becomes unresponsive as it probably means that water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road

Drivers are being advised to follow messages on the overhead signs and listen to radio updates.

Further information can be found by visiting the www.highways.gov.uk/traffic or calling the Highways England Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

In the south west people are particularly advised to beware on the following roads:

A30 / A38

Bodmin

M4 J22-J23

Severn Crossing

M48 J1-J2

Severn Crossing

M49

M4 J22 (at Severn crossing) to M5 J18 (at Avonmouth)

M5 J13-J15

Stroud to M4

M5 J18-J19

Avonmouth Bridge

M5 J20-J23

Clevedon to Bridgwater