Thundery storms are expected to batter Britain over the next few days, bringing high-speed winds of up to 70mph and persistent rainfall.
The Met Office has forecast that bouts of heavy rain will lash the UK this week, alongside a risk of thunder and some of the highest winds charted this year so far.
Weather maps have indicated a band of rain is set to sweep across the Atlantic and hit the south of England on Wednesday evening, which will move towards the north east. Strong winds are also expected.
Thursday will see thunder storms rumble across the country, while the early hours of Friday morning will see more downpours that will continue into the mid-afternoon.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Lead European Forecaster Tyler Roys has issued a warning for localised flooding, advising the public to prepare for "several rounds of rain" for the rest of the week going into the weekend.
Flooding is to be expected in parts of the south west of England, with as much as 16mm of rainfall forecast in southern parts of the UK.
On the expected gales, Mr Roys said: “A wind storm is likely to be racing into southern England. The strong winds from this storm are likely to be across southwest England and the coastal regions of the English Channel.
"Winds could gust as high as 70mph for southwest England and the English Channel islands otherwise gusts up to 60mph likely.
"The expectation of the storm at this time is that it will be losing its intensity, therefore the strong winds are not expected to be widespread."
Temperatures are set to creep up from the chilly lows experienced over the past few days, rising to double digits on Thursday.
Highs of 10C to 14C could be expected in some parts of the UK.
UK weather forecast
Wednesday:
Unsettled and largely cloudy. Bands of rain and showers moving northeastwards across most parts, heavy at times. Some bright spells too though, and feeling very mild despite strong winds.
Heavy, showery rain across western areas and southern England will start in the evening, which could be thundery. They will largely clear by dawn leaving clear spells. Staying cloudier for Scotland, with rain lingering.
Thursday:
Bright sunny spells and scattered showers, some heavy and thundery. Rain in Scotland confined to the far north. Showers turning thundery in places. Blustery rain arriving in the far south-west by evening.
Outlook for Friday to Saturday:
Unsettled conditions on Friday, overcast, wet and possibly very windy in the south, variable cloud and showers in the north.
Mostly cloudy on Saturday with patchy rain easing through the day, and a few brighter spells possible in the far east and west later on. Temperatures returning close to average.
