The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the UK with four days of heavy rain ahead.
From Wednesday to Saturday, rain and wind is set to batter parts of Britain.
Delays and disruption to travel are also expected.
Potential problems include large waves on coast routes, delays to road, rail air and ferry services and high sided vehicles are urged to take care.
The warning also means a potential loss of power in some parts if power cables are hit by high winds.
Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said: "The winds are going to strengthen [on Wednesday] and could be really quite lively.
"Coupled with some big tides, it could bring some coastal issues with potential for coastal flooding in the far south west of England and the east coast of Northern Ireland.
"There will be gusts of 50 to 60 mph and problems for high sided vehicles.
"Wet and windy weather swings its way into Scotland and Northern Ireland and right across Wales for much of Wednesday too.
"Most of the east of England won't see that rain until Wednesday night.
"It's going to be blustery and gusty making it feel cooler than temperatures would suggest."
The weather maps show that the south west will be particularly hit by rain and wind.
MET OFFICE OUTLOOK
Today:
A mixture of sunny spells and blustery showers. The showers mostly affecting southern and western areas where some will be heavy, especially near coasts. Breezy, but mild for December.
Tonight:
Showers mostly dying out leaving clear spells for a time. Heavy rain and gales developing in western parts later on.
Wednesday:
Rain in the west, heavy at times, moving eastwards. Brighter weather with showers following to western parts. Windy, with gales in the west, severe along coasts at first.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Some rain for Scotland Thursday, elsewhere mostly dry before rain spreads from the west later. Heavy rain at times Friday.
Rain in the southeast on Saturday, sunshine and showers elsewhere.
