A deep area of low pressure from the Atlantic is moving slowly north east, touching north Wales before passing over the North Sea by evening - bringing heavy rain and wind with it.
Gusts of wind will reach speeds as fast as 65mph in coastal areas, with large waves of up to 18ft-high in parts of the English Channel. "This is unsually stormy weather for this time of year. It's due to an area of deep low pressure slowly tracking northeastwards throughout Friday. "Wales and central Ireland will see the worst of this storm as further rain wraps around the southern flank of the low, dumping up to two inches of rain in places, which could cause some localised flooding.
"Expect disruption to transport and a few tree branches on the ground. "Southern Britain will feel the strongest winds with gale force gusts of up to 65 mph. This could cause a sea swell of up to 4 or 5 metres in the Bristol Channel. A day of heavy rain is likely for much of the country, with the heaviest rain expected in Wales, the Midlands and western and northern England. Also called off due to the weather has been the Ballivor Horse Show in County Meat and some events at Bramham Horse Trials in North Yorkshire. The torrential downpours come after Britain experienced its wettest April on record - with the UK's biggest water company suggesting it could lift its hosepipe ban