THE UK is set to be battered by rain, high winds and thunder which will make the weekend "feel more like autumn than August", forecasters say.

Following yesterday's wet weather, 'severe' yellow warnings for rain and wind will come into force across large swathes of the UK on Friday and Saturday.

Heavy rain on Friday will give way to gale-force winds and "unseasonable" weather as the weekend continues.

A yellow "be aware" weather warning is in place across all of Wales and Northern Ireland, and most of England and Scotland, as some places could receive more than two inches of rain.

Ms Kent added: "The first band of rain could bring 30mm of rain in places, and if you draw the short straw, then you could get another 30mm with the showers that follow.

"Some places might get as much as 60mm of rain."

A yellow weather warning for wind across all of Wales and central and southern England follows on Saturday.

Although Scotland and northern England escapes the wind warning, a yellow guidance is in place for thunderstorms.

Ms Kent said "it will be unseasonably windy", with gusts in the warning area reaching 40 or 50mph.

In more exposed areas, the winds could be even higher.

Ms Kent added: "The English Channel coast could see winds in excess of 60mph.

"Saturday is going to be a very unseasonal day, it could feel more like autumn than August."

Due to the forecast, people travelling over the weekend are being warned to expect delays and disruption to their journeys.

Boardmasters music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, was cancelled at the 11th hour in anticipation of the bad weather.

While performances at the event, which included slots from stars such as Wu-Tang Clan, Florence + The Machine and Foals, were not due to begin until Friday, doors were set to open to visitors on Wednesday.

The festival said "we sincerely regret the disappointment to fans, and apologise for any disruption caused to local businesses".

It added: "The safety of you, the fans and attendees, as well as performers and crew comes first."

Leading bookmaker Coral now makes this month odds on, at 4-5 (cut from 6-4), to be the wettest August since records began as the Met Office continues to warn of heavy rain.

Coral's Harry Aitkenhead said: "We've had a soaking wet start to August and the forecasts are showing no let up over the next week or so.

"We are on course for a record breakingly wet month and we now make this August odds on to be the wettest ever."

The rain warning on Friday could be especially worrying for the residents of Whaley Bridge, the Derbyshire town endangered by the potential collapse of a nearby dam.

Locals were finally allowed home on Tuesday – but hundreds were forced to endure a sixth night away.

Between one and two inches of rain through Friday to Saturday is possible, the Met Office said.

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