Forecasters have issued more than 100 flood warnings and alerts across the country with a washout of a weekend p redicted for the UK.
Local flooding is possible in many western areas, with any precipitation adding to recent heavy downpours.
Conditions on Thursday are expected to remain mild for most of the country.
Strong winds are set to sweep in from today, bringing showers and drizzle with them before heavier deluges arrive from Saturday.
The wet and windy conditions are expected to last into Sunday, meaning the array of flood warnings could remain in place for some time.
The Express reports one warning suggesting: “Local flooding is possible across parts of the south of England from groundwater for the next five days.
“Local flooding is also possible but not expected from rivers and surface water across parts of south-west England on Saturday.
“Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.”
Tom Morgan, a meteorologist at the Met Office, told the Guardian: “It’s pretty unsettled, wet and windy at times so there are a number of rain warnings in place in the next 24 hours, affecting two areas of Wales and Scotland.
“Higher ground will be more affected: Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and the Highlands of Scotland.”
He added: “The west of the UK will bear the brunt of the conditions. We can expect some flooding as the ground is quite saturated already after a wet period in the last couple of weeks, so rain will run off the ground quite quickly.
“There will be some brighter and drier spells on the way. Friday will be the best day of the week with slightly nicer weather,” adding that next week will see more unsettled weather returning.
UK 5-day forecast
Unsettled and mild
Today:
After a bright start in the north and east, outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the south-west will affect most areas. Heavier rain reaching western parts later. Windy, with coastal gales in the west. Staying mild.
Tonight:
A band of rain, heavy at times, sweeping eastwards across all parts. Clearer skies following for many but frequent showers affecting northern and western Scotland, with severe gales.
Friday:
Gales across Scotland easing, whilst showers become less frequent. Most other areas having a dry day with broken cloud and sunny spells, before rain reaches the south-west later.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Rain moving east through Saturday, followed by showers. Showers continuing Sunday and Monday, heaviest and most frequent in the west; sunny spells more likely in the east. Windy.
