UK weather: Met Office warning as 186 flood alerts in place and 110mm of rain could fall

The Environment Agency has warned 186 flood alerts remain in place across the country, amid warnings for rain in some areas, Brits making journeys this evening have been warned.

The conditions in some places are feared to be so heavy that some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, as well as possible road closures and power cuts. In Scotland some 110mms of rain is feared to fall in some locations where a Met Office yellow warning has been in place since 6am today and continues until midnight. A yellow warning is also in place on the south coast, until at least 10pm tonight.

The Met Office warned for Scotland: “Heavy rain is expected to persist for much of the day. Whilst some snow is expected to fall initially over higher ground, this should tend to turn to rain which will then steadily thaw lying snow. 30-50 mm of rain is likely to fall widely with potential peaks over hills of 80-110 mm.

“Rain will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds. Further heavy rain is possible in similar areas on Friday but this aspect is currently unclear.”

And for the south: “A band of rain will move eastwards across the area during Thursday before clearing during the evening. Rain will be heavy at times, especially over hills, with 20-30mm likely in places. Rain will be accompanied by strong south-easterly winds.”

It comes ahead of Brits finally experience warmer temperatures this weekend after more heavy rain, the Met Office says. Forecasters say most of the south of England will see temperatures of 12C on Saturday, and the mercury will hit double figures in most of the rest of the UK. Writing on its website, the Met Office says the outlook for Friday to Sunday will "feel mild." It says: "An unsettled end to the week with further heavy showers and rain. Often windy, but feeling mild when sheltered with temperatures climbing above average for the time of year."

Looking into next week, the Met Office says: "Potential for a drier spell of weather to develop for a time around mid-month, particularly in the south, with frost and fog more prevalent. Overall, a relatively mild period for the UK, with above average temperatures more likely than not, especially so in the south and west."

The warmest places on Saturday are likely to be Plymouth, Cardiff and London. While the Met Office predicts 12C for these cities and the wider areas, other forecasters believe the mercury may peak at 16C on Saturday - considerably above the average for this time of the year.

Warnings and where they are

Central, Tayside & Fife (until midnight)

• Angus

• Clackmannanshire

• Dundee

• Fife

• Perth and Kinross

Grampian (until midnight)

• Aberdeen

• Aberdeenshire

London & South East England (Until 10pm)

• Hampshire

• Isle of Wight

• Portsmouth

• Southampton

• Surrey

• West Sussex

South West England (Until 10pm

• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole

• Dorset

• Somerset

• Wiltshire

East Midlands (Until 8pm)

• Derby

• Derbyshire

• Leicester

• Leicestershire

• Nottingham

• Nottinghamshire

West Midlands (Until 8pm)

• Staffordshire

• Warwickshire

• West Midlands Conurbation

• Worcestershire