How long the rain will last in Greater Manchester - full Met Office weather forecast

It's set to be a rainy day in Greater Manchester today - before conditions turn brighter towards the weekend.

Our region and much of the UK will see a rainy start to the day today (Wednesday) as an area of low pressure sweeps over. In Greater Manchester, heavy rain is forecast to fall until around 9am this morning, according to the Met Office.

More wet conditions are expected though, with lighter showers predicted to fall through the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. Conditions are expected to turn drier and brighter overnight into Thursday, though it will cooler.

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On the overall outlook for the North West for today, the Met Office said: "Mostly cloudy on Wednesday with, generally light, showers and outbreaks of rain at times throughout the day. Turning windier, with strong gusts over around hills and coasts by the afternoon.

"Temperatures down on recent days. Maximum temperature 14C."

For Thursday, forecasters said: "A fine and largely dry day with a good number of sunny spells. Small chance of a shower in the afternoon.

"Noticeably colder with temperatures dropping below the seasonal average. Maximum temperature 11C."

The rainy conditions today come as a number of flood alerts remain in place across parts of England. There were 79 alerts cautioning of possible flooding in place on Wednesday morning with flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, in place for 11 locations, including two in Bristol.

Flood warnings were updated overnight for the River Anker in Warwickshire, and areas around the River Blackwater near Southampton. Other warnings were issued for Gog Brook in Warwick, Bunches Brook from Broadway to