Britain is set for "another drenching" on Friday with heavy downpours and winds of up to 30mph expected - before it gets warm and humid over the weekend.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain remains in place until 2pm in the north-east of England, with a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater.

As a result, the Environment Agency has two flood alerts in place in the Upper River Swale area and the River Esk catchment.

Forecasters warn 30-40mm of rain is likely with spots of 50-70mm in places - most likely over high ground in the North York Moors.

Low pressure is bringing in warm humid air but heavy downpours

BBC forecaster Ben Rich described the forthcoming mixed bag of weather across the UK as "blue skies one minute, angry shower clouds and drenching downpours the next".

And despite the rain - sometimes thundery - expected to continue through the weekend, temperatures could reach 24C on Saturday in the south, with plenty of humidity.

The meteorologist said outbreaks of rain, including some "hefty showers", particularly heavy through the Midlands, England, Wales and north west England, "some thunder, lightning, large hale possible" are all to come.

He explained the unsettled weather is down to low pressure.

A weather warning remains in place in the north east, with flooding a possibility
Brits are set for another drenching this weekend (
Image:
PA)

"This swarm of cloud is going to be sucking up warm and humid air from the south - but also flinging downpours in our direction," Mr Rich added.

Friday is likely to see a soggy start for northern England and northern Ireland, with some rain in southern and eastern Scotland by the end of the day.

Northern Scotland, however, is expected to remain largely dry and bright - if not a little little cloudy and murky along the north east coast.

But southern England has "another drenching to come" by the afternoon, though temperatures will be warm - 18-21C, with humidity rising into the weekend.

"Warmth and more downpours to come," said Mr Rich.

UK 5 day weather forecast

Today:

Rain, often heavy, affecting northern England, moving into southern and eastern Scotland. Some spells of sunshine elsewhere, but showers and also longer spells of rain in the south. Warmer, but cool under persistent low cloud near some North Sea coasts.

Tonight:

Showers and also some longer spells of rain moving north, risk of thunder in the south and east. Extensive low cloud, hill and coastal fog in the east.

Saturday:

Most places having some warm and sunny spells, but also some heavy showers around, particularly in the north and west. Cooler, dull and misty near some North Sea coasts.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Cool and cloudy along some east and northeast coasts with mist and drizzle. Sunny spells and showers elsewhere, locally heavy with a risk of thunder.