UK weather forecast: Rain and floods to hit ahead of sunny Sunday break

Flood warnings have been issued across parts of central and southern England, with persistent rain only breaking into dry sunny spells by Sunday.

And while a reprieve of the grey autumnal weather will eventually arrive, the lingering rain is posing flood risks in certain areas.

The Environment Agency has warned of an imminent flood along the Lower Avon in the southern town of Ringwood and one further north alongside the River Nene between Peterborough and Dog-in-a-Doublet Sluice.

Meanwhile, 25 flood alerts urging residents to be prepared of possible floods, have been issued for much of central and southern parts.

The agency said the wet week has seen all but one of the rivers it reports on classed as normal or higher for this time of year.

The Met Office also has a rain warning in place that could lead to potential flooding in northeast Scotland.

It expected heavy rain to hit in the afternoon and evening that could pose some disruption to Friday travel as a result of surface flooding.

Interruption to power supplies and flooding of a few homes and businesses were also likely.

The weather forecaster indicated the rest of the country would also receive its fair share of rain, with southern parts of the UK also getting a few coastal gales.

By Saturday rain would continue, with more persistent rain lingering above southern Scotland and northeast England before clearing for Sunday.

Met Office head of media and campaigns Jo McLellan said despite the wet weather things were expected to improve over the weekend.

“It is unsettled today and tomorrow, but will become mainly dry on Sunday, though still some showers in the east,” she said.

She said the clearer weather during the week would bring some good bright and sunny spells with an edge of frost and fog in some places.