Flooding could turn deadly as thunderstorms, rain and high winds batter the UK, forecasters have warned.
Gusts could hit 50mph and the Met Office warned of disruption to travel by rail and road, adding that flooding could cut off some communities and pose a “danger to life” on Friday.
Scotland and the far north of England are bracing for damage and flash flooding caused by thunderstorms that are expected on Saturday.
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Unsettled weather means low pollen for most, the Met Office says.
Thunderstorms and windy, wet weather are expected to grip the UK all weekend, bringing hazardous driving conditions and the potential for floods, writes Andy Gregory.
Yellow weather warnings are in place across the whole of the country until Sunday, at which point England and Wales should see some relief, the Met Office forecasted.
“There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life,” across the UK on Friday, its website said.
Music festivals and other events have been cancelled and drivers warned to limit their travel where possible, as “unseasonable” conditions could bring gusts of up to 50mph and up to 40mm of rain within a few hours.
'Danger to life' warning issued as UK braces for thunderstorms, heavy rain and travel disruptions
Water on roads causing delays on Friday morningAdvice here for concerned neighbours.
Downpours in the northeast aren't stopping some from getting out and about.
Swathes of Scotland are on flood alert as heavy rain lashed the country.
Surface water was causing problems for drivers on Friday morning while ferry services were disrupted by strong winds.
It followed localised flooding earlier in the week which led to the cancellation of some train services between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Firefighters were deployed to drain the Winchburgh Tunnel near Broxburn in West Lothian after 50mm of rainfall in the area the previous day.
ScotRail said services had begun again on Friday.
Additional reporting by PA
Wales living up to its reputation, here.
Manchester also living up to its reputation...
The Environment Agency has 10 flood alerts in force for England. They are:
Loughborough Urban Watercourses
Lower River Soar in Leicestershire
River Chew Catchment
River Cole
River Cole and Dorcan Brook
River Leen and Day Brook in Nottinghamshire
River Maun in Nottinghamshire
River Sow and River Penk
Upper River Irwell catchment with Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstal-l
Upper River Swale
Meanwhile, Scotland's Environmental Protection Agency has 14, covering practically the entire country.
In Belfast, one tattoo parlour reports that it can't operate today due to flooding.
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta has been scaled back due to high winds, reports say.
A mass take-off will not go ahead as planned.
Here's the extent of the rain warning.
Brittany Ferries has cancelled a string of services due to adverse weather. You can click here to find out if you're affected.
A yellow weather warning for wind is also in place from 3pm this afternoon until the end of the day.
The warning covers much of London and southeast England, southwest England and Wales.
Forecasters are warning gusts of up to 40-50mph are expected inland and about 60mph around the coasts.
The wind and rain could cause delays to road, rail air and ferry transport services.
National Rail has advised a 50mph speed restriction is expected to stay in place until the end of tomorrow between Oxenholme Lake District and Penrith.
The restriction is likely to cause delays of up to 30 minutes between these stations.
An inflatable running event in Shepton Mallet is the latest event to be cancelled ahead of this weekend.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain, or very strong winds. Enjoy your weekend, Scottish and Northern Irish stormchasers and English or Welsh kitesurfers...
An update from the Met Office.
Bonnie Diamond, a meteorologist, said: "There has been a lot of rain over the last 24 hours with more heavy showers to come on the way today and tomorrow.
"So we will certainly see an impact in terms of localised flooding, difficult driving conditions and transport delays."
Between 9pm on Thursday and 9am on Friday, Antrim in Northern Ireland saw 39mm of rainfall - the most in the 12-hour period - more than one-third of the country's August average, which is just 97.4mm.
Meanwhile Shap in Cumbria recorded 38.6mm - more than half of England's August 69mm average - with Gwent in Wales clocking 34.8mm - a third of that nation's 107mm August rainfall average.
Additional reporting by PA
Sound advice from the fuzz, here
A Swansea branch of Waterstones has been forced to close after rainwater poured through the ceiling.
The damage to the Oxford Street shop happened after the city experienced flash flooding from heavy rain, Wales Online reported.
Workers described flooding on the first floor as "significant".
