An amber weather warning for rain has been issued for parts of the UK as Storm Claudia is set to bring heavy downpours.
The Met Office has warned of a potential "danger to life" caused by flooding as some areas could see around 80mm of rain on Friday.
An amber weather warning has been put in place from 12pm until the end of the day.
Parts of Wales, the Midlands, the South West, the South East of England are affected.
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Storm Claudia is set to bring heavy rain to parts of the country on Friday
|MET OFFICE
Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, the Met Office has warned.
It added that spray and flooded could force some roads to shut and lead to difficult driving conditions.
Train and bus services could also face delays and cancellations, while power cuts are possible, according to the forecaster.
The Met Office said: "Storm Claudia, previously named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, will bring rain that will become persistent and heavy during Friday.
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Britons have been told to brace for heavy rain on Friday brought on by Storm Claudia (file photo)
| PA"40-60 mm of rain is expected widely across this region with some places seeing around 80 mm; these higher accumulations more probable across the East Midlands, and higher ground in Wales and western England.
"Impacts may be exacerbated by strong easterly winds, as well as thunderstorms later Friday afternoon and evening."
The forecaster advised people in the affected areas to avoid driving during "potentially dangerous" conditions and follow local weather updates.
Several less severe yellow weather warnings have also been put in place, including one for rain affecting Central, Tayside & Fife, the North East, North West, South West Scotland and Strathclyde until 7pm today.
The wet weather has forced 21 schools to shut in Cumberland.
Cumberland Council cited a number of reasons for the closures, including flooding and "dangerous road conditions".
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place from 12pm until the end of the day tomorrow in the Midlands, North West and Yorkshire and Humber.
The Met Office has further issued a yellow warning for rain affecting the same areas as well as the East of England, London and the South East, the South West and Wales for 24 hours from 6am on Friday.