Storm Claudia – named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) – has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.
But rain associated with this storm has spread across England and Wales where it has stalled and continues for most of the day on Friday.
A large Met Office yellow severe weather warning is in force across most of England and Wales and will be valid until Saturday at 06:00 GMT.
Around 30-50mm (1.2-2.9in) of rain is expected quite widely which may bring some localised flooding and transport disruption.
But, more severe Met Office Amber warnings, issued for parts of south-east Wales will be in force from 12:00 to 23:59 GMT where up to 150mm of rain – nearly 6 inches – is possible over high ground.
An additional amber warning will also come in to effect for the same time across parts of east Wales, the Midlands and towards eastern England.
Here around 40-60mm (1.6-3in) of rain is likely, with some places seeing up to 80mm (3.2in).
The average rainfall for the whole of November across central England and south Wales is between 60-100mm (3-4in), so there is a good possibility some places will see close to their whole month’s rain in 24 hours.
Flooding is likely, especially within the Amber warning areas.
With flood warnings in place in some parts of the country already, Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Storm Claudia will bring heavy prolonged rainfall across parts of England, with significant surface water flooding probable across parts of central England on Friday, while significant river flooding impacts are also possible, and into Saturday.”
There will also be some difficult driving conditions with transport disruption.
Rail passengers have been warned to check before they travel over the threat of flooding on the tracks and strong winds damaging trees and overhead powerlines. Speed restrictions could also be imposed.
Avanti West Coast said it is running a reduced timetable with fewer trains and journeys taking longer.
CrossCountry Train told passengers it will run a reduced service between Birmingham and Manchester after 13:00 and it some services may be cancelled.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “We urge drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia extremely seriously, as they indicate roads are likely to become flooded and therefore represent a risk to life.”
“Drivers may wish to consider delaying their journeys until the worst of the impacts are over, especially in areas that are hardest hit this weekend”.
National Highways said it was checking culverts, gullies and drains to help drain rainwater on the motorway.
Strong easterly winds will accompany the rain.
Additional yellow warnings for the wind have been issued for the far north-west of Wales and the Pennines.
Gusts up to 50-70mph (80-113km/h) could bring some minor damage and disruption.
Some events across the country have been cancelled in anticipation of the bad weather.
In Birmingham, the Jewellery Quarter Christmas Light Switch On was cancelled “due to health and safety concerns” following the Amber warning.
