A yellow weather warning for rain is in place until 2pm today (Wednesday 3 September)
Author: Sam Hall, PA Published 1 hour ago
Last updated 1 hour ago
Heavy rain and strong wind may cause flooding and travel disruption in parts of the UK, the Met Office has warned.
A yellow weather warning for rain has been in place from midnight last night (Tuesday 2 September) and until 2pm today (Wednesday 3 September) for south-west England and much of South Wales.
Monday saw the end of meteorological summer with cooling temperatures, rain and wind expected across the country after the warmest summer on record.
In its warning, the Met Office said “heavy rain may cause travel disruption and flooding in places”.
It added that “some interruption to power supplies and other services is possible” and bus and train services will probably be affected with “journey times taking longer”.
Rebekah Hicks, chief meteorologist at the Met Office said: “We’re expecting a band of heavy rain and strong winds to move north-east through the first part of Wednesday, followed by heavy showers and the risk of thunderstorms. Some of these could bring hail and gusty winds, particularly in southern areas.
“Of course, the warning coincides with the first school run after the summer holidays for some, meaning a wet and potentially disruptive start to the day for many.”
Heavy rain and strong winds will move north-east from early on Wednesday, followed by heavy showers and some thunderstorms.
Conditions will gradually improve from the South West through Wednesday afternoon as showers become more isolated.
Rainfall totals will be 20-30mm across much of the area covered by the weather warning on Wednesday, but some places could see 40-60mm within a period of six to nine hours.
Coastal gales are also likely for a time, especially along English Channel coasts, the Met Office added.
The weather service said conditions on Thursday would be “unsettled”, with widespread showers and occasional thunderstorms.
By Friday, southern areas will begin to see more settled conditions, with increasing sunshine and fewer showers. However, the North West will remain wet and windy, with a small chance of coastal gales, the Met Office said.