THE Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the UK – with alerts for flooding and power cuts.
The forecaster is predicting heavy rain to hit today, as remnants of Hurricane Nigel sweep the country this week.
North West of England, Central Scotland and most of Wales are all set to be battered by a 12-hour torrential rain today.
Yellow weather warnings are in place amid fears businesses and homes could be flooded in the next hours.
Surface-water and river levels are expected to rise these areas – with 11 flooding warnings in force for much of Wednesday.
The Met Office said “flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely” in northwest England and “some interruption to power supplies and other services” expected in Wales.
The forecaster added: “Bus and train services [will] probably [be] affected with journey times taking longer.”
Those living in south western areas have already seen some heavy showers after highway disruption was reported this morning in Somerset.
Further south, Manchester and Leeds are also set for soaking conditions, with warnings issued on both sides of the Pennines.
Those areas could see 100mm in rainfall to 200mm in higher-altitude affecting Eryri National Park.
According to Gov.uk, water levels at the river Greta in Keswick Campsite are expected to almost double in height to more than 2.64m.
Homes and businesses surrounding the area at most risk.
Teacherous conditions are also set to hit Cardiff and Swansea in the south, and Bangor to St Asaph in the north of Wales.
Residents between these points should take care when travelling and plan safe routes before leaving their homes.
The soaking weather is expected to take place from 6am to late evening around 6pm.
Other areas in Scotland including Perth and the Scottish Borders already suffered 20-40mm of rain yesterday.
The Met Office‘s website warned millions of Brits to take care in the harsh conditions.
The rainfall is part of the after-effects of Hurricane Nigel – dubbed the heaviest and most persistent after Hurricane Lee.
The fast-spaced storm was a Category 1 hurricane when it formed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean a few days ago.
However, experts said is expected to intensify to a Category 3 on Tuesday as it heads north towards Europe at 12mph.
It will bring unsettled weather and increased rainfall rates and winds of at least 111mph for the rest of the week.
Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said: “The weekend’s severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, and their associated impacts, have marked a transition between the heat of last week and the more Atlantic-dominated weather in the forecast for the coming week.”
Heavy showers and thunderstorms will then continue on Thursday and Friday for most of the country.
Mr Willington added: “Although the forecast contains the potential for further thundery showers later in the week.
“These are not expected to be of the magnitude of those seen over the weekend, but some localised impacts should be expected.”
It comes as an amber “danger to life” warning was issued as thunderstorms struck following the heatwave during the weekend.
The Met Office said Devon and Somerset saw more than 4in (100mm) of rain in 24 hours, above the September average of 3.4in (87mm).
Flooding saw the closure of Exeter Airport and Paignton Zoo, both in Devon – with cancelled trains are closed roads.
