Met Office issues 'danger to life' weather warning as UK braces for barrage of rain

Forecasters have issued a new weather warning for rain which covers the entire South West and the majority of the nation. The Met Office yellow warning is in place from 9pm tonight (Saturday, September 7) until 6pm tomorrow.

Periods of heavy and potentially thundery rain are expected to thrash the UK over the course of the warning. Forecasters have warned of a "danger to life" as some areas face fast flowing and deep floodwater.

They have also warned of traffic and travel disruption, as well as power cuts. The Met Office said: "Areas of heavy, possibly thundery rain may cause flooding and disruption in parts of England and Wales on Saturday night and Sunday."

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The Met Office has outlined what to expect during the warning:

• There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses

• There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings

• Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services

• Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

• There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads

• There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life

Met Office 5-day forecast for the South West:

Today: Low cloud and any fog will tend to lift to give some bright spells for a while during the morning. Cloud will gradually increase, bringing showery outbreaks and perhaps thunderstorms to northern and coastal areas by the evening. Maximum temperature 19 °C.

Tonight: A band of heavy showers brings a risk of thunderstorms along the northern coast this evening, with further heavy showers developing more widely across the area later on overnight. Minimum temperature 14 °C.

Sunday: A band of thundery showers moves slowly westwards, bringing widespread heavy downpours. A brighter evening is in store however, with dry weather and sunny spells developing later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 20 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday: Settled with sunny spells through Monday. Turning cool and breezy on Tuesday with occasional showers in northern parts. Dry once more, but remaining cool for Wednesday.