BRITS have been warned to expect heavy downpours with the Met Office issuing three yellow weather warnings.
A whopping 18 hours of heavy rain is set to batter the country today as three areas of the UK are slapped with weather warnings and floods are expected.
Heavy downpours have been lashing western England and Wales overnight with heavy showers expected to continue well into today.
Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth and Torbay have all been issued with a yellow weather warning for rainfall.
Meanwhile dozens of towns and cities in Wales have been affected by a yellow weather warning.
Further north, Cumbria has been affected by a similar yellow weather warning.
The warnings affecting the south and Wales were issued for 12pm today until 6am tomorrow.
While the warning over Cumbria was issued at 12am and will remain in effect until 11am today.
Some areas of the county are expected to experience a huge 80mm of rainfall this afternoon.
While in the south rainfall could reach 50mm this afternoon after overnight downpours persisted into the morning.
Brits in the affected areas have been warned to expect some transport disruption and even flooding during the period of heavy rainfall.
The affected areas could be drowned under nearly 100mm of rainfall in just a few hours.
Spray and flooding on roads is likely to make journey times longer with drivers warned to check their routes before setting off.
Bus and train services will most likely be affected by the lashing rain with the Met Office warning that journeys will take longer.
People living in the affected areas have been instructed to check if their homes are at risk of flooding.
Brits are also asked to be prepared for weather warnings to change rapidly with the rainfall expected to worsen before it eases later today.
The Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
The heavy rainfall is expected to bring chaos to the island’s western shores with a massive six flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency.
Power cuts could even be possible in the worst hit areas with the Met Office warning UK residents to be prepared for the impacts of the pouring rain.
Issuing advice in the wake of the warnings the Met Office said: “Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
“People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance.
“It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
Despite the heavy rainfall the Met Office has said today’s weather is expected to be very mild for the time of year, with blustery southwesterly winds.
Sporadic showers will continue well into the evening after the lashing rain has eased but heavy bursts could continue into the night.
Tomorrow the rain will keep lashing down in spots across western England and Wales but the yellow warnings will be lifted.
The temperature will remain very mild for the time of year tomorrow and the gusty wind is expected to become less severe.
Met Office five day forecast
Today:
A wet and windy day for much of northern and western England and also Wales. Brighter elsewhere, but with the continued risk of showers, especially across northern Scotland. Very mild for the time of year, with blustery southwesterly winds.
Tonight:
Cloudy, with outbreaks of rain moving northeastwards. The rain heavy at times over the hills in the west. Some clearer intervals possible, mostly across northern Scotland. Very mild.
Wednesday:
Cloudy once more, with outbreaks of rain. However, slowly becoming drier and brighter in south through the afternoon, with some sunshine possible. Remaining very mild, though winds beginning to ease.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Western areas are likely to see further spells of rain Thursday and Friday. Drier and brighter in the east. A trend to more widely dry and bright weather come Saturday.
