Weather map: Where heavy rain will hit London, England and Wales this weekend after Met Office warning
Yellow and amber weather warnings have been issued across the UK as heavy rains hit parts of the country and conditions are set to worsen early next week.
The Met Office has warned that a developing area of low pressure will move across the southern and central parts of the UK on Saturday, bringing bands of heavy rain and gusty winds, particularly in Wales, the Midlands and southern England.
With up to 80mm of rain expected in south-west England and Wales, people could see disruption and possible flooding from the early hours of Saturday morning, the forecaster said.
Forecasters have predicted that the Northern and Southern Downs of England can expect to see close to 50-60mm of rainfall, with strong winds particularly affecting coastal areas.
There is a yellow weather warning for rain from 6am until midnight on Saturday, spreading across the East Midlands, eastern England, London, southern England, south-west England, Yorkshire and Wales.
Between 60-80 mm of rain can fall on high ground, while 20-30 mm has the potential to fall over a very wide area.
The forecaster said the yellow ice warning could cause some disruption in the East Midlands and Northern England between Saturday night and Sunday morning as surface temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing.
Three warnings will be in place for southern Wales on Monday, including an amber rain warning. Warnings cover Wales and south-west England from midnight until 3pm on Monday, and London and south-east England from 8am on Monday until 6am on Tuesday.
Although rainfall amounts vary, 20-40 mm of rain is likely to fall over the wider area; 60-80mm will accumulate on some higher windward ground in south Wales and perhaps closer to 100-120mm in a few places. Heavy rain will be accompanied by strong winds from the south and southwest, especially in coastal areas.
According to the Met Office, the heaviest rainfall is likely to occur in parts of south and south-west England and south Wales. The report said 20-30mm of rain could fall fairly widely across the wider region, but 60-80mm was likely to accumulate on some windward high ground in south Wales and the high ground of Dartmoor.
Forecasters are predicting around 40-50mm of rain will fall in the higher elevations of Exmoor, Dorset, the Mendips and the Cotswolds, and up to 50-60mm in the Northern and Southern Downs.
They warned that there was a possibility of some flooding in affected areas and this could lead to disruptions to travel networks and infrastructure.
The Met Office added that the rains will be accompanied by strong southwestern winds, especially in areas close to the English Channel coast.
Chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “While the exact course of the low remains uncertain at this time, there is a clear signal for periods of strong winds and heavy rain, which could cause surface water flooding and delays to road and rail travel.
“Rain will also hit the north-east of England on Saturday, some of which may fall as snow on higher ground as the system meets colder air from the north.
“Sunday will be drier and brighter, albeit colder, for many areas where strong winds will blow near the North Sea coast. Widespread frost is expected overnight into Monday before the next weather system approaches.”
It is estimated that the weather will remain unstable next week, with rainy and windy conditions occasionally turning drier and milder.
