Flip-flops are out and umbrellas are in, as the autumn equinox starts, bringing with it heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Over a month’s worth of rain could strike in just 12 hours over the weekend, as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for large areas of England and Wales. Flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are also possible, as the UK braces for three consecutive weather warnings lasting from Saturday morning until 11.59pm on Monday.

A weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy showers is in force across much of southern England and Wales. The Met Office says damage to buildings as a result of lightning strikes, disruption to public transport and flooding should be expected within the affected areas.

Britons are being warned of more heavy rain next week after a weekend washout of thunderstorms causing weather chaos. An urgent weather warning has already been issued for the weekend across a vast area of the UK.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering a large area of southern England and Wales. The weather warning will last from 12pm until 8pm on Friday, before another takes its place from 1am until 11.59pm on Saturday.