Millions of Britons are being warned to prepare flood kits as the Met Office issued a yellow rain warning across swathes of England, Wales and southern Scotland from Wednesday morning through Thursday.
The alert, which came into force at 3am Wednesday, signals heavy downpours could trigger localised flooding and major travel disruption. Forecasters predict rainfall totals of 20-30mm widely, with isolated areas seeing up to 50-70mm over higher ground.
Thirty-nine areas are most at risk, with already saturated ground in some regions increasing the likelihood of surface water flooding. Transport networks face potential chaos, with road closures and longer public transport journey times expected.
The South West, parts of the Midlands and sections of the North East are amongst England's worst-hit areas. Central and southern Wales face particular concern for rising river levels, whilst southern Scotland braces for significant rainfall impacting communities and infrastructure. Northern Ireland remains outside this specific warning.
Officials are urging residents to clear gutters and drains where safe, check on vulnerable neighbours, and prepare for potential power cuts. Driving conditions will prove challenging with reduced visibility and slippery roads prompting advice to slow down and allow extra journey time.
Wind speeds will generally stay moderate at 10-20mph, though stronger gusts in exposed areas could worsen heavy rain's impact. Temperatures will remain mild at 8-12 degrees Celsius, preventing snow complications but maintaining flood risks.
The Environment Agency and local councils are monitoring conditions closely, ready to issue specific flood alerts if necessary. The emphasis on flood kit preparation reflects the situation's potential severity - residents should stock bottled water, non-perishable food, torches, battery-powered radios, important documents and medications.
Source: Met Office