The Meteorological Office put severe weather warnings in place for all of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, though south Wales and southern England were expected to be worst hit.
"There will be a potent cocktail of strong winds, wave action and high tides tonight through until Wednesday," Environment Agency director Paul Leinster said.
The agency has issued a severe flood warning for Devon and Cornwall in southwest England, with a further six flood warnings and 31 lesser flood watches around the country.
Winds were expected to reach up to 80 miles per hour (128 kilometres per hour), with airports, port operators and vehicle breakdown companies warning of delays for travellers.
A spokesman for London's Heathrow Airport, the world's busiest international air hub, said it would wait before deciding whether to cancel or delay flights until later Sunday evening or early on Monday.
London's Gatwick airport was also set for delays and cancellations, with an airport spokeswoman saying it was in "regular contact with the Met Office."
"If the weather is as bad as currently predicted, there may be delays or cancellations," the spokeswoman added.