Warning as West set for a battering by Claudia

FLOODING could hit parts of the UK today as forecasters issued an amber warning for rain.

- CARLA FERIC

A woman sheltering under an umbrella during a rain shower last month

(Yui Mok)

Storm Claudia, which was named by the Spanish meteorological service, will bring heavy downpours and strong winds for much of the country.

Some areas could see up to 80mm of rain, with deep floodwater causing a danger to life.

The warning is in place from noon until the end of the day and covers parts of Wales, the Midlands, South West, South East and East of England.

A separate yellow warning for rain covers much of England, from Cheshire and North Yorkshire down to the south coast, for a 24-hour period from 6am on Friday, while an additional warning for winds of up to 70mph in some western areas of the UK is in place from noon until midnight.

The Met Office said the weather may lead to power cuts, travel disruption and damage to buildings.