EXPECT heavy rain in the run up to Storm Dennis at the weekend.

Tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday will see spells of heavy rain and strong winds in the South East, before Storm Dennis brings further very wet and windy weather this weekend.

Named by the Met Office, Storm Dennis will bring heavy rain and widespread strong winds to many parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday, though the impacts are not expected to be as extreme as Storm Ciara last weekend.

Tonight, the Island can expect cloud quickly thickening with rain becoming persistent and heavy at times by midnight.

Winds becoming strong with coastal gales soon developing, perhaps becoming severe. Minimum temperature 3 °C.

Thursday will see early rain clearing then frequent squally showers following, often heavy with possible hail. A windy day with coastal gales. A drier end to the day is likely. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

The outlook for Friday to Sunday is bright, with a frosty start to Friday then increasingly breezy with rain arriving later.

Very unsettled and milder for the weekend with wet and windy weather and strong winds or gales.

Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Another spell of very wet and windy ​weather is expected for Saturday.

"Although Storm Dennis is currently not expected to be as severe as Ciara, disruption is still likely.

"Our confidence in the forecast means we have been able to issue severe weather warnings well in advance, giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.”