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Rain and thunder sweeps across UK Torrential rain sweeps across UK
(about 2 hours later)
A prolonged period of heavy rain and thunder will sweep across the UK on Friday, forecasters have said. Torrential rain is sweeping across the UK, with flash floods leaving some homes waterlogged and schools closed.
The band of severe weather has hit southern parts of England and Wales, and is set to move into central areas in the afternoon. The band of severe weather has hit southern and central England and Wales, and will move north to reach Scotland and Northern Ireland over the weekend.
Rainfall totals of between 20mm and 40mm are expected widely but some areas could see levels reach 100mm. Rain is falling at up to 18mm (0.7in) an hour and some areas could see levels reach 100mm (3.9in) in 24 hours.
The Environment Agency has six flood warnings in place covering parts of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. The Environment Agency has two flood warnings and the Met Office has severe weather warnings for England and Wales.
The Met Office has issued early severe weather warnings covering the whole of England. Roads flooded
Disruption possible BBC weather forecaster Rob McElwee said most counties west of London, and as far north as Manchester, were affected.
It said it was impossible to say which areas would see the heaviest rain but said southern and central areas of England were most at risk. He said: "The whole lot will move slowly northwards and during Saturday it will be trying to cover Scotland and Northern Ireland."
A spokesman highlighted Birmingham, the M5/M4 corridor and the Cotswolds as areas which could see the worst of the weather. Julia Abbott, from BBC Travel, said roads were being affected by flooding and surface spray mostly in south-east and south-west England.
They include the M4 and A404 in Berkshire, the A421 in Buckinghamshire and the A443 in Worcestershire.
Residents evacuated
The Environment Agency's flood warnings are both in north east England, on the River Hull.
The Met Office's severe weather warnings are for the whole of England and Wales on Friday and Saturday.
Residents have been evacuated from villages in North Yorkshire after Skeeby Beck burst its banks.Residents have been evacuated from villages in North Yorkshire after Skeeby Beck burst its banks.
Up to 25 fire crews have been dispatched, but North Yorkshire Police have said that flooding has "subsided significantly".Up to 25 fire crews have been dispatched, but North Yorkshire Police have said that flooding has "subsided significantly".
The villages affected include Gilling West, where 30 homes have been evacuated, Scotch Corner, Melsonby, Kirby Hill, Middleton Tyas and Ravensworth, while a number of sideroads off the A66 are still closed. The villages affected include Gilling West, where 30 homes have been evacuated, Scotch Corner, Melsonby, Kirby Hill, Middleton Tyas and Ravensworth, while a number of side roads off the A66 are still closed.
Forecasters predict that the rain will move northwards on Saturday, and that more heavy showers are likely in east and central areas on Sunday. School holidays
People across the country were warned the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks. People across the country have been told the weather could lead to flooding and cause disruption to outdoor events and transport networks.
The Met Office has been working closely with the Highways Agency to warn motorists about the dangers of driving in heavy rain. The Highways Agency has warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes vehicles to stop.
They are concerned greater numbers of motorists than normal will take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas. Greater numbers of motorists than normal are expected to take to the roads because it is the start of the school holidays in many areas.
Clean-up
Road users in the West Midlands particularly were advised that heavy rain could affect their journeys.Road users in the West Midlands particularly were advised that heavy rain could affect their journeys.
The Highways Agency warned rain and spray can reduce visibility and more than double the distance it takes to stop. Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods.
"Drivers are advised to use headlights and keep well back from the vehicle in front," a spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Tory leader David Cameron is to visit an area of Lincoln on Friday afternoon to see the damage caused by the recent floods.
Mr Cameron will meet residents affected by flooding and those involved in the clean-up operation.
In June, four people died in floods which inundated parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire, with more than 30,000 homes and 7,000 businesses affected.In June, four people died in floods which inundated parts of the Midlands and Yorkshire, with more than 30,000 homes and 7,000 businesses affected.
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