Met Office issues urgent 12-hour amber warning as mega storm batters UK - list of areas
The forecaster has warned that heavy rain will likely bring flooding and disruption to transport.
UK weather: Met Office forecasts heavy rain showers
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for rain for Thursday evening and Friday for several parts of the UK.
Slow moving showers and thunderstorms today will soon intensify through the afternoon into the late evening, merging into "a large band of heavy rain" - with central and eastern parts of the warning area bearing the brunt of the storm, the Met Office said.
It added: "Some places, especially across central and eastern parts of the warning area, are likely to receive 30-40mm in three hours or less, and perhaps 50-60mm or more in around six hours.
"This rain will fall onto already saturated ground and affect communities recovering from recent flooding. Travel disruption and further flooding is likely, with rivers continuing to rise after the rain clears."
The forecaster warned: “Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding and transport disruption this evening and overnight."
The forecaster has urged people in the UK to stay safe and avoid road travel, as torrential rainfall of up to 60mm is expected to cause flooding in several areas, particularly affecting communities still recovering from recent downpours.
It also warned that river levels will continue to rise even after the rain subsides.
Transport disruptions are anticipated this evening and overnight due to the heavy rainfall.
The Met Office has urged Brits to "keep yourself and others safe, prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions", adding "if you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously".
Don't miss...
Met Office issues 17-hour 'danger to life' warning for heavy rain [INSIGHT]
UK cold weather maps show full list of areas hit by 293-mile Arctic blast [REVEAL]
UK weather maps show Britain battered by 742-mile Atlantic vortex [SPOTLIGHT]
Regions and local authorities affected
East Midlands
Leicester
Leicestershire
Northamptonshire
Rutland
East of England
Bedford
Cambridgeshire
Central Bedfordshire
Peterborough
London & South East England
Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes
Oxfordshire
South West England
Gloucestershire
West Midlands
Herefordshire
Warwickshire
West Midlands Conurbation
Worcestershire