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Motorists have been warned to stay off the roads today after forecasters predicted downpours could dump more than three inches of rain in just 24 hours, causing chaos on the roads.

The Met Office has warned that some parts of the country could see almost four inches of rain, as a month’s worth of rain falls in the space of three days.

The service has put in place two warnings for heavy rain which are in force across large part of the midlands and the north, as well as eastern Scotland, while the Environment Agency has issued 24 flood warnings and 98 alerts in England.

The most severe warnings are centred in the south and south east of England, where heavy rain left dozens of drivers stranded after part of the A27 in West Sussex turned into a river as the carriageway flooded, a scene that could be repeated elsewhere in Britain today.

Emergency services spent the night trying to free those trapped in the horrendous conditions, as well as removing vehicles stuck in the rising water. As of this morning the road’s eastbound carriageway remains closed.

Forecasters have predicted Britain will suffer ‘miserable conditions’ over the next two days as a weather front sees strong winds and bands of persistent rain across the country.

Forecasters are predicting more than three inches of rain could fall in the space of just 24 hours, turning roads across the country into rivers

Forecasters are predicting more than three inches of rain could fall in the space of just 24 hours, turning roads across the country into rivers

The 'miserable conditions' are set to stay in place for the next couple of days, with some parts of the country set to get as much as four inches of rain

The ‘miserable conditions’ are set to stay in place for the next couple of days, with some parts of the country set to get as much as four inches of rain

Around 20 cars were stuck in both directions of the A27 in West Sussex between Fishbourne and Havant, as firefighters worked to free occupants

Around 20 cars were stuck in both directions of the A27 in West Sussex between Fishbourne and Havant, as firefighters worked to free occupants

A car is one of around 20 that lay stranded on the A27 in west Sussex after heavy rainfall last night

A car is one of around 20 that lay stranded on the A27 in west Sussex after heavy rainfall last night

Conditions may be ‘atrocious’ for much of the UK, while the Scottish highlands could see some snow, the forecaster said as it put out a yellow warning for rain.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency had issued 24 flood warnings and 98 alerts in England. These are mainly centred on the south coast, with warnings in Dorset, Hampshire, East and West Sussex, Kent and Surrey. There is also one warning in North Yorkshire.

People in areas covered by the warnings are being told to expect flooding on some roads and low-lying areas, and have been urged to avoid trying to travel through the floodwater.

The Met has a yellow weather warning in place for all of today for large parts of England, and is warning more than three inches of rain will fall in some areas, while a second warning covering parts of today and tomorrow is in place in Scotland.

This covers an area stretching from Birmingham, Lincoln and Hull to north Wales, Liverpool and Manchester, as well as the east coast up to the Scottish border. 

On its website, the Met Office explains the warning, saying: ‘Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, will move northwards across the Midlands, north Wales and northern England during Wednesday night, persisting through much of Thursday. 

’30 to 40 mm rain is likely to fall quite widely over a 24-hour period, with a small chance over 60 mm in a few places and perhaps as much as 80 mm over higher ground. 

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‘This brings a chance of flooding and disruption. The rain is expected to become less widespread and more intermittent during Thursday night. 

The second warning will come into force at 3pm today until 6pm on Friday for the east coast of Scotland, stretching from the English border up past Aberdeen with similar risks of flooding, and transport disruptions.

Speaking yesterday Met Office spokesperson Craig Snell said: ‘The warning areas are where we are most concerned about the risk of flooding but it doesn’t mean that the areas outside them are not going to see some pretty atrocious conditions.’

Mr Snell said a warning had been issued for the southeast of England because ‘it has been quite wet there since the beginning of November with many places already seeing more than their month’s share of rain’.

The midlands and the north of England will have a ‘pretty miserable day’ on Thursday after the rain sweeps in overnight, Mr Snell said.

‘The rain will be accompanied by a brisk wind so it’s not going to feel good.’

But he added that Scotland could see ‘two days of persistent rain’ and this may result in snow falling in the highlands – although this is not unusual for November.

‘If you want to take a walk in the hills in Scotland tomorrow you may come across snow but for the lower levels it is just going to be rain,’ he said.

Metal railings were twisted out of shape after floodwaters burst a river bank in West Sussex

Metal railings were twisted out of shape after floodwaters burst a river bank in West Sussex

Floodwater caused a sewer to be overwhelmed on this street in West Sussex

Floodwater caused a sewer to be overwhelmed on this street in West Sussex

A car was left stranded in floodwater after a riverbank burst in West Sussex due to heavy showers

A car was left stranded in floodwater after a riverbank burst in West Sussex due to heavy showers

RAC breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis warned motorists to ‘exercise great care’ during the wet weather.

‘The chances of being involved in a collision rise dramatically in wet weather, and even more so if there’s snow, so it’s vital drivers slow down, leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front and use their lights to make sure they’re easily seen by other road users,’ he said.

‘The risk of aquaplaning where a vehicle’s wheels lose contact with the road as they skim across standing water will be high, particularly for those who don’t slow down to appropriate speeds for the conditions.’

Last night the A27 was closed in both directions between Emsworth and Chichester yesterday evening as West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service worked to free waterlogged vehicles.

The service posted on Twitter: ‘A27 CLOSED both ways from Fishbourne, Chichester to Havant Around 20 cars stuck in flood water.

‘We are extremely busy dealing with multiple flood-related incidents, including rescuing people from cars and flooding in buildings.’

And motorists were being warned by travel service Romanse of ‘heavy delays’ around the A27 and A3M near Havant, Hampshire, because of flooding caused by the rain.

Police in Winchester, Hampshire, have also advised of a large tree coming down and blocking a road in Swanmore.

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