The Environment Agency has issued an alert warning that heavy rainfall will lead to swollen rivers. For the coast, high tide is expected.

The heaviest rainfall, of between 100 and more than 250 litres per square metre, is expected in the west. In the night to Friday, rain may turn to snow at altitudes as low as 800 metres.

Morning lows on Thursday will stand between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius and daytime highs between 11 and 17, up to 21 in the south-east.

The rain will peter out on Friday as showers move eastwards, where they should stop by late afternoon. Clouds will break up but a chance localised shower is still possible. It will also get a bit colder.

The forecast for Saturday is for partly sunny, but localised showers are possible in the afternoon. There may be fog on low ground in the morning. Partly sunny weather is also expected on Sunday.