The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across parts of the UK in the aftermath of Hurricane Erin moving across the Atlantic.
The warning was put in place in Wales at 8am on Thursday and will remain until 4pm, covering areas of Bridgend, Powys, Swansea and Neath. The warning for England, including the East, the South East, the South West and London, will come into force at 10pm on Thursday, carrying on to midday on Friday.
Heavy showers are expected to continue through Thursday morning and the early afternoon, feeding in from the Bristol Channel. The Met Office said the conditions will ease up later in the day as the wind direction changes from south-westerly to westerly.
The forecaster said people should expect some flooding in households, businesses and on the roads, as well as possible power cuts and issues with public transport.
The Met Office has reminded people to check if their homes are at risk of flooding, and prepare a food plan and an emergency kit if so.
It added: “People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
“Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”
It also reminded people to check driving conditions to avoid potential road and traffic delays.
The weather comes as the UK faces the remnants of Hurricane Erin, which struck the US last week. The hurricane strengthened into a Category 5 storm - the most major and catastrophic category - on 16 August, with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour. Its intensification was one of the fastest on record.
The Met Office warned that up to 10 to 20mm of heavy rain and gusts in excess of 50mph are expected in some areas this weekend, particularly along the coast and on high ground.
Chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: “A westerly regime is now in charge of the UK’s weather and will help fuel periods of wet and windy weather over the next few days, with showers and some longer spells of rain likely for much of the UK on Thursday and Friday.
“While many areas may welcome some rain after fairly prolonged dry weather, there’s a potential that over the next few days some parts of Wales, northwest England and western Scotland could see some impacts at times, which we’ll be keeping an eye on.”
The hurricane marks the end of a dry spell for much of the UK after record-breaking temperatures have put the nation on track for the hottest summer on record.
Monday’s bank holiday saw temperatures reach 29.1C in the village of Hawarden in Flintshire and 24.5C in Magilligan, Londonderry, the Met Office said.
The previous record for Wales was 26.5C dating back to 1991, and 23.8C for Northern Ireland.
Here is the weather forecast in the UK for the coming week, according to the Met Office.
Today
Sunshine and scattered showers for many, these heavy and thundery at times with the possibility of hail. Breezy, especially in the West, and feeling cooler here, but warmer in sunny spells in the East.
Tonight
Becoming largely dry with clear spells across the East and South East. Elsewhere, showers likely to become more organised in the South West and North West. Breezy for most.
Friday
More rain across the South West with heavy and thundery showers, these moving eastwards across southern counties. Elsewhere any showers easing in the afternoon with temperatures around average.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
Staying unsettled this weekend with further spells of rain and showers. Widely wet and windy on Saturday, but with some brightness returning on Sunday. Temperatures remaining around average.
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