Weather warnings in force as Storm Claudia brings heavy rain to UK

Racegoers brave the rainy conditions during Countryside Day at Cheltenham Racecourse

Amber warnings from the Met Office for "persistent and heavy" rain are in force as Storm Claudia continues to move across the United Kingdom.

A wider yellow severe weather warning will be in place across most of England and Wales until 06:00 GMT on Saturday. It comes after recent rain and flooding affected many areas, such as south Wales, last week.

Travellers have been urged to travel with caution with some parts of England and Wales forecast a month's worth of rain.

Several trainlines have been disrupted, with National Rail warning delays and cancellations are expected over the weekend. The Environment Agency said ongoing flooding was likely to continue.

Buckets collect rain water in Paddington Station, London

Amber warnings for rain-soaked parts of Wales, the Midlands, the south west, south east, east of England, and areas of northern England, came into force on Friday, with heavy rainfall predicted into Saturday.

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: "Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday.

"This rain will become slow-moving, and some areas could see up to a month's worth of rain in 24 hours."

Strong easterly winds and thunderstorms are expected throughout parts of the UK later on Friday.

In parts of south-east Wales, where an amber warning is in place until the end of Friday, up to 150mm of rain - nearly 6 inches - is anticipated to fall over high ground.

The average rainfall for the whole of November across central England and south Wales is between 60-100mm (3-4in).

East Wales, the Midlands, up to south Yorkshire and eastern England are also covered under an amber warning for the same time.

Around 40-60mm (1.6-3in) of rain is likely, with some places seeing up to 80mm (3.2in).

Flood defences have been implemented in Bewdley, in Wales, with emergency services in Shrewsbury set to follow suit on Saturday.

Across the UK, Avanti West Coast services, Chiltern Railways services and various CrossCountry services will also be disrupted going into the weekend, providers have said.

Rail passengers have been warned to check before they travel with a risk of flooding on the tracks and strong winds damaging trees and overhead powerlines. Speed restrictions could also be imposed.

Network Rail says routes between London Paddington and Bristol and Swansea were closed due to flooding with severe disruption expected on Friday.

People were being told not to travel on those routes, and between Exeter and Barnstaple, and Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill.

The AA has advised against travelling in the "hazardous weather", saying: "Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you're prepared before you travel."

It added: "Flood water can appear quickly, and even shallow water can be dangerous - never try to drive through it."

The RAC is urging drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia "extremely seriously".

The British Red Cross said it has placed its emergency response teams on standby to help communities most at risk.

Routes between London Paddington and Bristol and Swansea are closed due to flooding on the tracks, including here at Corsham near Bath

Officials have said they will examine the track at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, on Saturday morning ahead of the scheduled seven-race Paddy Power Gold Cup card.

In Birmingham, the Jewellery Quarter Christmas Light Switch On was cancelled "due to health and safety concerns" following the Amber warning on Friday.

In Macclesfield, Cheshire, a tree fell on three cars on Manchester Road. No one was injured.

Floods minister Emma Hardy said: "As parts of the country are forecast to experience heavy rainfall, I recognise people will be concerned about the risk to their homes and livelihoods."

She added she was in regular contact with the Environment Agency on "their response to the expected flooding who, alongside local authorities and the emergency services, are already taking action to keep communities safe".

Storm Claudia reached Northern Ireland on Friday.

In Ireland, Met Eireann has a "status orange" rain warning for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow, while a yellow warning is in place for other eastern counties and much of the south.

Meanwhile, a yellow cold health alert has been issued for next week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber.

It is in place from 08:00 on Monday until 08:00 on Friday.

Storm Claudia - named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) - has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.

The storm comes as the Environment Agency warned that England will experience widespread drought next year without a wet winter.

The country has received only 83% of the average rainfall for January to October, and suffered the driest spring for 132 years and the hottest summer on record.

Despite recent rainfall, the situation remains "precarious", it said.