Britons are braced for torrential downpours as almost a month's worth of rain is today expected to lash parts of the UK.
Forecasters have issued a severe weather alert lasting most of today, with disruption on roads and flooding likely in some places.
The yellow warning covers the south-west and north-west of England, and Wales, with high ground expected to be worst hit.
The Met Office alert comes into force at 8am and lasts until 10pm.
As much as 80mm of rain is possible in some areas, forecasters said.
The average August rainfall in Wales is 107mm and the average for August in the south-west is 90mm.
This means that almost a month's worth of rain could fall on Friday alone.
Strong winds are also expected, with 30mph-40mph gusts likely around exposed coasts and hills.
Heavy rain may coincide with peak travel times during the afternoon and early evening, leading to difficult driving conditions.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said that even places outside the warning area will not escape the rain on Friday.
"Much of England and Wales will see a fairly wet day," he said, adding that the whole of the UK will get rain at some point.
The forecaster said the weekend will bring sunshine and blustery showers, adding that things are looking more positive next week.
"Especially come mid-week, pressure's building a bit," he said.
