Storm Benjamin could batter the UK with heavy downpours and winds of more than 70mph this week, forecasters have said.
The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings over possible disruption, flooding, power cuts and damage to buildings in a number of areas on Thursday from the storm, which has been named by Météo-France.
A yellow weather warning for rain covering most of southern England, the East Midlands, parts of Wales and Yorkshire will be in place on Thursday until 9pm.
People in the affected regions have been advised to expect heavy rainfall from Wednesday evening, with up to 50mm in some areas by early Thursday morning.
The anticipated wet and windy conditions have not yet earned the storm an official name from the Met Office.
A warning for wind on Thursday will be in place from 9am until 11.59pm, covering the east of England from Brighton up to Scarborough. For the majority of the yellow alert area, gusts of up to 55mph are expected, with 65mph possible near coasts, the Met Office said.
Strong winds may lead to power cuts, transport disruption and damage to buildings, with a small chance of injuries and danger to life caused by large waves and beach material being thrown on to seafronts and coastal roads, the forecaster said.
Another yellow alert for wind on Thursday covers south-west England and parts of Wales, including Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Swansea and Pembrokeshire. Gusts of up to 45mph are expected widely in this area, while wind speeds of up to 60mph could be reached along exposed coasts and headlands, according to the forecaster.
The Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: “It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low-pressure system. So the public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.”