Strong winds were expected to develop across Kent and Sussex, with 65-70mph gusts “possible near coasts”, the Met Office said.
Late-morning or early afternoon wind gusts above 70mph could develop for a small period of time along the North Sea coast.
A yellow wind warning was also in place for the south-west, including Cornwall and Devon, and west Wales from 06:00 BST until 15:00 BST.
North-westerly winds gusting up to 55mph in both areas are possible, while some coastal areas could be hit with 60mph gusts.
More severe rain and winds are set to batter western Europe, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The Europa League has confirmed two matches scheduled for Thursday have had their kick-off times brought forward.
Dutch side Feyenoord will play Greece’s Panathinaikos in Rotterdam two hours and 15 minutes earlier than scheduled at 16:30 local time (15:30 BST), it said.
Uefa also announced, external Thursday’s Conference League match between Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and ŠK Slovan Bratislava had been brought forward from 21:00 to 18:45 local time.
