UK weather: Warnings of travel chaos and flooding deluge for huge swathe of the nation

Brits have been warned to expect a torrential downpour with a string of weather warnings in force for much of the UK today.

Persistent rain is expected in Central, Tayside & Fife, Strathclyde, South West Scotland and the Lothian borders, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands and Wales.

Rain is expected to be heavy over southwest-facing hills, with persistent downpours set to cause difficult travel conditions.

The Met Office has put warnings in place for spray and flooding on roads, and the public are advised to expect journey times to take longer.

The warnings for rain covering much of Wales, parts of England and also Scotland are in force until 3pm today.

In Northern Ireland the severe weather warning last until 10am.

Weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office (Met Office)

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Wintery conditions are far from over so drivers need to stay aware of the risks posed by a continuation of cold weather. Many roads are likely to be slippery as a result of low overnight temperatures affecting surfaces that remain wet from either snow or rain this week.

"We urge drivers to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and heed any warnings, and to set out fully prepared – this means always having a winter coat and extra layers of clothing in the car, as well as food and drink, a mobile phone power bank and phone charging cable to hand.”

The rest of the UK, including southern and eastern areas, will experience drier conditions, with extensive cloud cover and breezy gusts.

It is expected to be clear in the east and the south, with some patches of rain.

There are flood warnings currently in place across the UK (PA)

Towards the end of the week, conditions across the UK are expected to be fairly unsettled and windy at times, with milder temperatures over the weekend.

There are currently six flood warnings and 33 lesser flood alerts in place across England.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Dan Suri said: “An area of low pressure moving eastward has brought a mild, and blustery start to the week for much of England and Wales, with showers and some coastal gales.

“As we head through the second half of the week conditions turn milder, wetter and windier from the west."

Gales are expected later in the week (PA)

UK Weather Forecast

Today:

A wet start for many with rain, heavy at times, especially in the north and west. Becoming brighter but showery over Northern Ireland and western Scotland this afternoon. Parts of southern and eastern England also brightening up for a time.

Tonight:

Northern Scotland and parts of eastern, southern and central England cloudy with rain at times. Elsewhere clear spells but also showers, mainly in the west. Milder than recent nights.

Friday:

Early cloud and rain over parts of eastern, southern and central England slowly clearing. Northern Scotland cloudy with rain at times. Otherwise mild and breezy with sunny spells and showers.