Storm Claudia – named after the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) – has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.
But the rain associated with this storm has spread across England and Wales, where it stops and continues for most of the day on Friday.
A Met Office major yellow severe weather warning is in force for most of England and Wales and will be valid until Saturday at 06:00 GMT.
Around 30 to 50 mm (1.2 to 2.9 in) of rain is expected fairly widely, which may cause some localized flooding and transportation disruptions.
But the Met Office’s most severe 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 on high ground.
An additional amber warning will also come into force at the same time in parts of east Wales, the Midlands and the east of England.
Here, 40 to 60 mm (1.6 to 3 in) of rain is likely, and in some places up to 80 mm (3.2 in).
The average rainfall for the whole of November in central England and south Wales is between 60 and 100 mm (3 to 4 inches), so there is a good chance that in some places it will rain for close to the whole month in 24 hours.
Flooding is likely, especially within Amber Alert areas.
With flood warnings in place in some parts of the country, Ben Lukey, Flood Service Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Storm Claudia will bring heavy and prolonged rainfall to parts of England, with significant surface water flooding likely to parts of central England on Friday, while significant river flooding is also possible, and into Saturday.”
There will also be some difficult driving conditions with transportation disruptions.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “We urge drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia very seriously as they indicate flooding of roads is likely and therefore poses a risk to life.”
“Drivers may want to consider delaying their trips until the worst impacts have passed, especially in the hardest-hit areas this weekend.”
Strong easterly winds will accompany the rain.
Additional yellow wind warnings have been issued for far north-west Wales and the Pennines.
Gusts of up to 50-70 mph (80-113 km/h) could cause minor damage and disruption.
