floods wreak havoc on the road and rail network after heavy rains hit large parts of the UK.
The With office issued weather warnings as a rainstorm – coming in Cornwall on Wednesday afternoon – travels across the country before passing the east coast of Scotland on Friday.
Conditions could be “appalling” for much of the UK, while the Scottish Highlands could see some snow, the forecaster said as he issued a yellow warning for rain.
The M23 was closed in both directions between Junction 10 for Crawley and Junction 11 for Pease Pottage, both in West Sussexdue to standing water on the roadway in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The road was reopened after several hours, but some lanes remained closed.
The A27 was closed in both directions between Emsworth and Chichester after torrential rains left up to 20 cars trapped in floodwaters, according to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
The agency posted on Twitter: “Police on scene and road closed in both directions. We are present with specialist equipment to bring people to safety. AVOID THE AREA and only travel if necessary.”
It added: “We are extremely busy dealing with multiple flood-related incidents, including rescuing people from cars and flooding buildings.
“Lots of local flooding on West Sussex roads, please take care tonight and only drive if absolutely necessary.”
Some rail lines were affected, with disruption between Tonbridge and Hasting caused by flooding in a tunnel at Wadhurst in East Sussex.
National Rail said it had rectified a fault in the tunnel with a blown fuse and a melted piece of signaling equipment.
Flooding between Lewes and Brighton stations also caused disruption to southern services on Thursday morning.
On the Isle of Wight, flooding caused trains on the Island Line to be canceled until 9:00 am.
Police in Winchester, Hampshire, inquired about a large tree coming down and blocking a road in Swanmore.
The Environment Agency issued 27 flood warnings and 104 flood warnings on Thursday morning.
A yellow rain warning from the Met Office is in effect all Thursday.
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.
The rain carries a slim chance of flooding homes and businesses, temporarily cutting communities off with flooded roads and disruptions to transportation, the Met Office warns.
Another warning goes into effect at 3pm on Thursday until 6pm on Friday for the east coast of Scotland.
A yellow weather warning was also issued on Thursday for fog in parts of Northern Ireland from 4:40am to 10am.
Met Office spokesman Craig Snell said: “The warning areas are where we are most concerned about the risk of flooding, but that doesn’t mean the areas beyond won’t see some pretty horrific conditions.”
Mr Snell said there is a warning for the South East as “it has been quite wet there since the beginning of November and many places are already receiving more than their monthly share of rain”.
The Midlands and the north of England will have a “pretty miserable day” on Thursday after rain poured in overnight, Snell said.
“The rain is accompanied by a strong wind, so that doesn’t feel good.”
But he added Scotland could experience “two days of continuous rain” and this could result in snowfall in the highlands – although this is not unusual for November.
“If you want to go for a walk in the hills in Scotland tomorrow, you might come across snow, but for the lower tiers it’s just going to be rain,” he said.