Heavy rain is battering much of the UK as the Met Office maintains yellow weather warnings across England, Wales and Scotland, with flooding risks and travel disruption expected to continue into Friday.
England's North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the Midlands face warnings until late Thursday evening. Rainfall could reach 30-50mm widely, with up to 70mm possible on higher ground - enough to cause surface water flooding and treacherous driving conditions. Temperatures will hover between 10-13°C with moderate winds of 15-25 mph.
Wales bears the brunt of the weather system, with warnings covering most of the country until Friday morning. Similar rainfall totals are forecast, raising concerns about rising river levels and transport disruption. Commuters are being urged to allow extra journey time and watch for road closures. Exposed areas could see winds reach 20-30 mph.
Scotland's Central Belt and southern uplands remain under warning into Friday, with prolonged downpours expected to hit travel networks, particularly rural routes. Northern Ireland escapes the worst of the warnings but will still see unsettled conditions with periodic rain and temperatures around 9-12°C.
The Met Office is urging residents to check local flood alerts, avoid driving through flood water, and secure outdoor belongings. Motorists should reduce speed and increase following distances. The rain is forecast to clear eastwards gradually, with conditions improving by Friday morning across most warned areas, leading to a drier but still unsettled weekend.