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The Met Office has issued a warning for heavy rainfall and strong winds, according to their latest forecast. On Thursday, October 23, wet and gusty conditions are expected to hit southern and eastern regions. The forecaster has warned of travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and damage to buildings in southern England, the East Midlands and parts of Wales and Yorkshire. Read more: Next, New Look, H&M and more charge customers to return items sparking outrage The Met Office yellow weather warnings for rain will remain in place for all of Thursday until 9pm. Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "The low is deepening as it crosses the UK, it's likely to bring a swathe of strong winds as well. "[Also] gales around southern and eastern coasts, the risk of 60-mile-per-hour gusts in some exposed spots, perhaps even a touch more in some places." The Met Office's forecast for Thursday, October 23, read: "Rain remains across central and southern England, moving eastwards. "Staying windy in the south with gales likely across western and eastern coasts. Feeling colder than in recent days." They added: "A complex area of low pressure over the mid-Atlantic early this week is expected to move towards the UK whilst deepening, but confidence in the details of its track and intensity as it crosses the UK remains fairly low. "Despite these uncertainties, there is at least a medium likelihood that an extensive, and in places heavy swathe of rain will move into southwestern Britain during Wednesday evening and spread quickly northeast, with totals by early Thursday morning of widely 20-30mm, and for some places 30-50mm. There is a small chance a few places could exceed this, most likely over North Devon and Cornwall and more generally in the east of the highlighted area. "In association with the rain, conditions are expected to turn windy with a chance of gales, initially along southern and eastern coasts, but more widely across southern Britain during Thursday daytime." The Met Office also suggested amending travel plans if necessary if routes are delayed, in addition to preparing for a power cut in case they occurred. Met Office specialists said: "Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. "Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area."
