Britain faces a washout weekend as 60mph winds batter the country after half a month’s worth of rain falls today.
England’s south coast will suffer prolonged heavy rain today before the strong gales arrive later in the weekend.
Southern areas could be hit by up to 0.8in (20mm) of rain today, but this could rise to 1.6in (40mm) in some parts.
Rain causes difficult driving conditions for motorists on the three-lane M60 around Manchester this morning
Motorists have to take extra care on the M60 around Manchester as wet weather causes hazardous driving conditions
And the total is even more significant when compared to the September average for the region of 2.5in (64mm).
Today will be bright for most with sunny spells but there will be a scattering of heavy showers, some thundery. Prolonged spells of heavy rain will hit the south coast where it will be windy, but eastern England will be drier.
Tonight will bring more showers, especially across the South and West – some heavy with the risk of thunder. Meanwhile tomorrow will be bright with sunny intervals but there will be more heavy showers, locally thundery.
Sunday will again be unsettled with rain pushing into the North and West, but it will be drier in the South East. Monday will be sunny but there will be widespread heavy and thundery showers, and it will be windy in the South.
A dog walker watches the stunning sunrise at North Shields Fish Quay at the mouth of the River Tyne this morning
The sun rises at North Shields Fish Quay in Tyne and Wear this morning but much of the country is being hit by rain
Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said: ‘Winds pick up on Friday, with rain for the South.
‘Saturday eases but pretty strong winds are likely on Sunday into Monday along South and West coasts with a risk of gales or severe gales and blustery conditions for the whole of the UK.
It is going to remain very unsettled and often windy
‘Severe gales are 47 to 54mph wind gusts. It is going to remain very unsettled and often windy. Gales will perhaps be severe in exposed parts.’
MeteoGroup forecaster Tom Whittaker said: ‘Friday could see 45mph gusts in the South West and 55mph through the Channel.
‘Sunday into Monday seeing up to 60mph in exposed parts of the South West and 50mph in the North East. With trees in leaf, we could see falling trees and road and rail disruption.’