The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for "exceptional and persistent" rain in eastern Scotland, as well as amber and yellow warnings for wind and rain in other areas.

The red alert covers parts of the east of Scotland from 6pm on Thursday until midday on Friday, "with some locations likely to see 200-250mm" of rainfall.

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It marks the first time a red warning for rain has been issued in the UK since Storm Dennis in February 2020.

Babet, a complex area of low pressure that developed to the west of the Iberian Peninsula, will last until Saturday and is expected to cause flooding, power cuts and travel disruption.

Yellow severe weather warnings, meaning there is the threat of strong winds, extremely wet conditions and potential flooding, have been issued across the week until Saturday for a vast swathe of the UK, covering already-saturated parts of Scotland and northern and eastern England.

The Irish forecasting agency Met Eireann has also issued yellow and amber weather warnings for parts of Northern Ireland for heavy rain today and into Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Met Office raised the level of its warning for eastern Scotland from yellow to a more severe rating of amber.

The Met Office said people in Northern Ireland can expect spray and flooding which may lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures for the duration of the yellow warning for rain. It comes into effect at 2pm today and expires at 10am on Thursday.

There is a "small chance" that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, and communities being cut off by flooded roads, forecasters warned.

As the rain moves northwards, it will stall across central and eastern parts of Scotland where the rain will become heavy and persistent from Thursday through to Saturday.

There is an amber severe weather warning for rain for this area, meaning exceptionally wet conditions are likely. Up to 150 to 200mm of rain could accumulate in some areas of higher ground.

'Danger to life'

Under the amber warning, the Met Office warns "extensive flooding to homes and businesses is possible, which could lead to collapsed or damaged buildings or structures" and "fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life".

"There is a chance that communities in flooded areas could be completely cut off, perhaps for several days," it adds.

"Power and other essential services, such as gas, water or mobile phone service, may be lost."

Scotland typically receives around 168mm of rainfall in October but the country will receive more than this amount in the span of a few days.

Parts of England can expect more than 100mm of rainfall during the week, with some isolated areas facing up to 150mm.

There are also mass train cancellations across Scotland, expected to last until Saturday, with services stopped from Aberdeen, Elgin, Edinburgh, Fife, Perth and beyond.

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Ireland warned of 'dangerous' weather

Rain warnings for every county in the Republic of Ireland were in place overnight, having come into effect at various stages on Tuesday.

A Status Orange rain warning, meaning there is the possibility of dangerous or disruptive weather, is in place along Ireland's southern coast for counties Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

That warning is due to the risk of flooding, dangerous road conditions and possible wave overtopping at high tide amid heavy rain and strong gusts.

The advisory is due to expire at 1pm, with a Status Yellow rain warning, meaning there is the potential for localised dangerous weather, in place for the rest of the country until between 6pm to 8pm.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wardle said: "Storm Babet will bring disruption for parts of the UK in the coming days, with heavy rain and strong winds likely for many.

"Heavy and persistent rain will fall onto already saturated ground bringing a risk of flooding. It is important to stay up to date with warnings from your local flood warning agency as well as the local authorities.

"As well as heavy rain, Storm Babet will bring some very strong winds and large waves near some eastern coasts too. Gusts around 70mph are possible in eastern and northern Scotland from Thursday. Met Office warnings will continue to be reviewed as the forecast develops."