Weather more akin to autumn or winter is set to lash Britain, with winds of up to 70mph and heavy rain.
Experts at the Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for wind today (Thursday) and tomorrow, as Storm Ellen hits.
The alert is in place throughout today until 6pm on Friday, and covers larges swathes of England.
Some parts of Devon have already been submerged in 3ft deep water, with holidaymakers urged to stay away.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said it had received at least 60 calls for help as a result of the downpours in Barnstaple.
Today's warning states: "Although there is some uncertainty in the track of the low, gusts of 65mph are possible inland, with 70mph or more possible around coasts and hills.
"Whilst winds may temporarily ease during Thursday morning, a band of heavy rain is likely to move east during Thursday afternoon and evening accompanied by some locally squally winds."
Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: "Following the recent hot and thundery weather, we are seeing a significant change to very unsettled conditions for August with an unseasonal spell of strong winds associated with low-pressure centres for the second half of the week.
"Uncertainty remains high in the intensity of these systems at this point, but we are confident in the change to a spell of much windier weather."
He described it as a "very vigorous" weather system that has been created by the warm and moist air from a decayed tropical cyclone with normal North Atlantic air masses.
Bristol is set to escape the worst of the weather on Thursday, when the city will bask in highs of 22C. Wall to wall sunshine is expected throughout the day before rain moves in on Friday.
UK weather forecast
Thursday:
Windy with risk of gales for some western parts at first. Rain clearing the north and east, then sunny spells, but further showers then rain in the west later.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Sunshine and blustery showers through Friday with gales possible for exposed coasts. Over the weekend winds fall light and showers becoming confined to central areas, with most places remaining dry.
