Flooding and thunderstorm warnings have been issued as parts of Britain are expected to be hit with more than two inches of rain in just one hour.
A yellow thunderstorm warning was activated at 2am in the East and West Midlands, the north of England and parts of Wales, and will be in place until 5pm on Thursday.
Eight Environment Agency flood alerts were in place in the East and West Midlands on Thursday morning while hail and lightning are also possible hazards.
Heavy showers are expected to move north east across parts of England and Wales and may cause surface water flooding as the thunderstorms become slow moving.
Drivers are urged to check road conditions and change travel plans if necessary while homeowners are asked to secure moveable objects such as bins, fences and garden furniture to avoid possible injury.
Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesperson, said: 'Some heavy and at times thundery rain is moving gradually north east today, with the potential to bring some impacts for some.
'There's a yellow warning for thunderstorms in force until 5pm today and the warning covers much of Wales as well as northern and central parts of England.
Flooding and thunderstorm warnings have been issued as parts of Britain are expected to be hit with more than two inches of rain in just one hour
A yellow thunderstorm warning was activated at 2am in the East and West Midlands, the north of England and parts of Wales, and will be in place until 5pm on Thursday
A jogger running on Westminster bridge in a torrential downpour today
'While not everyone will see the highest totals in the warning area, some could see 30-60mm of rain in an hour with hail and lightning additional hazards for some.
'The warning highlights potential difficult travel conditions, as well as the possibility of some flooding in some spots.'
The Met Office said in their warning that there is a chance of 'delays and some cancellations to train and bus services' and that 'power cuts could occur'.
Dane Broomfield, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Slow-moving heavy rain and showers continuing until late afternoon mean significant surface water flooding is possible but not expected across parts of England today.
'Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
'We urge people not to drive though flood water - it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.'
But it's not all been doom and gloom with skygazers treated to the dazzling Northern Lights this week.
People in Westminster are caught in heavy rain. Eight Environment Agency flood alerts were in place in the East and West Midlands on Thursday morning while hail and lightning are also possible hazards
Pedestrians on Westminster bridge are caught in heavy rain. Heavy showers are expected to move north east across parts of England and Wales and may cause surface water flooding as the thunderstorms become slow moving
The Northern Lights visible through clouds over Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire
Incredible images show the rare Aurora Borealis illuminating the sky across different parts of the country - including Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Whitby, Norfolk and parts of Scotland.
A fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) - a violent expulsion of charged material - left the sun 90 million miles away on Saturday night, bringing the Northern Lights to the UK this week.
It has brought an enhancement of geomagnetic activity, creating conditions that allow the aurora, to be visible further south than usual, provided that skies are sufficiently dark and clear.
In stark contrast to the glowing aurora, Britons are also being warned to ready themselves for tempestuous weather, bringing an abrupt end to the nation's warmest summer on record.
Monday saw the end of meteorological summer with cooling temperatures, rain and wind expected across the country after the warmest summer on record.