Stormy weather and potential gale force winds are on the cards this weekend, according to the Bermuda Weather Service.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, urged motorists to take extra caution while navigating the roads today.

For further updates on the weekend weather conditions, visit the Bermuda Weather Service’s website here.

Showers are expected to turn heavy and potentially thunderous today, with strong winds that could reach storm-force levels tonight.

Sunday will also see similar weather with sunny spells throughout the day.

A small-craft warning was issued yesterday and is valid through to this evening.

A gale force warning will be in effect through to Sunday afternoon, and a small-craft warning from Sunday evening to Sunday night.

Today is expected to have a high of 69F and a low of 60F.

Skies will be cloudy, with rain showers that may be heavy at times and a chance of thunder.

Winds will be southwesterly and would start at 11-17mph, increasing to 23-35mph with gusts to 50mph. By evening, winds will be 28mph to 35mph gusting to 58mph.

Overnight, winds will be westerly and 35mph to 46mph, gusting to 58mph.

Sunday will see blips of sunshine between blustery showers despite the slight temperature drop to a high of 66F and a low of 57F. Winds will be westerly between 20mph and 30mph before veering west-northwesterly and easing in the afternoon.

It will then shift northwesterly with strong gusts in the evening and ease to moderate strength overnight.

The forecast is a continuation of the weeks-long temperamental weather patterns.

Michelle Pitcher, the director of the BWS, said: “March is typically a changeable month in terms of weather conditions and can be our coolest month of the year on average.

“Many low-pressure systems are still moving across the US and into the Atlantic Ocean and the upper-level weather patterns allow the majority of those systems to reach down into our latitude.”

She added: “Once we get into April and May, these low-pressure systems begin to cross further to our north and the Bermuda-Azores high sets up on the surface, allowing for much more settled conditions.”

Ms Pitcher warned the public to be wary of how wind exposure will affect their commutes and homes.

She said that people should account for wind gusts, which are short bursts of high-energy winds.

Ms Pitcher said: “Winds across the Island can vary widely from protected valleys to more exposed hills.

“Crossing bridges or driving through sections of road that have a lot of trees and/or buildings also make a difference on the wind speed a person can experience.”

Ms Pitcher said: “As we prepare each year for the Atlantic hurricane season, it is my opinion that most of Bermuda has a good sense of how different wind speeds affect their lives, livelihoods and property.

“And with a strong sense of community, I think there are enough neighbours helping neighbours to make sure most people are reminded that adverse conditions are coming and that people are prepared.”