THE wet weather that left many people spending Bank Holiday Monday indoors is set to ease ahead of the weekend - and despite the prospect of more rain on the horizon there is no suggestion that it will bring major flooding.

Rainfall will weaken over the next 36 hours, heralding a drier day for many on Friday before the sun brings warm temperatures over the weekend.

But grey skies and rain will return next week as another weather system moves in.

Forecasters expect rain for much of the UK today, with northern England bearing the brunt with around 20mm (0.8in) in localised areas.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, urging people to "be aware" of rain levels in Yorkshire and Humber, with the possibility of up to 30mm (1.2in) across North and East Yorkshire, with local flooding disrupting travel.

The Environment Agency has also warned of flood risks in south-east England, Anglia and the Midlands, issuing 19 of its lowest "flood alert" warnings, mainly of groundwater flooding close to rivers.

Sean Penston, from weather forecasters MeteoGroup, said: "There will be a moderate amount of rainfall, and given that we have seen a fair amount of rain in the past few days, with the high water table there is a chance of water developing on the surface."

He added: "The system affecting us now will weaken over the next 36 hours. There will be a largely dry day on Friday for northern parts of the UK. In the south there is a risk of further showers but drier conditions will develop here on Saturday.

"Even though it is quite miserable it is quite warm outside and muggy, and today there will be highs of 16C-18C (60.8F-64.4F) across south-east England away from the coasts.

"Tomorrow onwards we are looking at a general warming trend, with 19C (66.2F) across south-east England.

"But over the weekend we could see 21C-22C (69.8F-71.6F) across the South East and a predominantly dry day on Saturday. I wouldn't rule out rain or showers, but they won't be particularly heavy.

"Sunday will be generally the same, though there will be the chance of the odd shower in south-eastern parts of England and the far north will see some rain."

Next week will see rain moving in from the west on Monday and more showers over the following days.

Mr Penston said: "Generally there will be rain and showers next week but less amount of cloud, so it won't be as miserable."