UK weather forecast: Britons prepare for weekend washout as rain warnings are issued

The first weather warning lasts to just before midnight on Friday and says there could be damage to homes and businesses, travel cancellations and power cuts.

It predicts heavy rain and gales, with the mountains of north-west Wales and Cumbria set to be hit by the worst drenching as more than 100mm of rainfall is possible.

Elsewhere in the warning zone - which covers parts of north-west England, Wales, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber - areas of higher ground could see strong to gale-force south-westerly winds, 50-80mm of rainfall, while 25-40mm could fall at lower levels.

Another warning which lasts through Saturday expects that bouts of heavy rain will hit southern, central and western Scotland through the weekend and bring a risk of flooding.

The warning for Saturday also covers parts of Wales, north-west England and Yorkshire and Humber.

Across some hills and mountains, particularly north-west Wales, they could see 80-100mm of rainfall while 40-60mm could fall elsewhere on high ground.

There could also be 20-30mm of rainfall in many places.

The final warning, which covers most of Sunday, says that "periods of heavy rain" are expected in Wales and north-west England and will bring the risk of further flooding.

Deputy chief meteorologist Martin Young said: "Saturday will be very wet and windy for many northern and western parts of the country as low-pressure sweeps north-eastwards past north-west Britain.

"Another system quickly follows on Sunday that contains the remnants of ex-Hurricane Zeta, bringing further heavy rain and strong winds."

This is falling on already saturated ground from what has been "a wet October" so there is an increased risk of flooding in some warning areas, he added.

Gary White, the duty tactical manager for Natural Resources Wales, said that flooding is "likely" to happen up and down the country over the next few days.

He said: "Our emergency response workers will be at key sites checking defences are in good working order and making sure any drainage grids and screens are clear to reduce the risk to people and their homes."