Yellow Weather Warning Issued for Heavy Rain
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain affecting parts of southwest England, with potential road closures impacting drivers on Monday and Tuesday. Heavy downpours are expected to bring flooding risks and widespread disruptions to the region.
The warning targets Devon, Cornwall, and sections of Dorset, spanning from Lands End to areas beyond Swanage. Key locations in the impact zone include Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Plymouth, Somerset, Torbay, and broader areas of Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset.
Timeline and Potential Impacts
This alert runs for nearly 24 hours, starting at 12 p.m. on Monday and ending at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Officials note a small possibility of flooding damaging homes and businesses, alongside risks from fast-moving or deep floodwaters that could endanger lives. Power outages and interruptions to essential services may also occur in affected spots.
Road travel faces particular challenges, as spray and flooding could create hazardous driving conditions and prompt temporary closures. Some communities might become isolated due to submerged routes, while train and bus services could experience delays or cancellations, disrupting regional transport.
Weather Forecast Details
Meteorologists highlight some uncertainty, but persistent rain is likely to develop later on Monday and continue overnight before tapering off into Tuesday. Rainfall totals could reach 10-20 mm across most areas, with up to 30-50 mm possible over Dartmoor. Recent saturation of the ground heightens the chances of localized flooding and related issues.
The Met Office states: “Outbreaks of rain may become persistent on Monday, especially later in the day and overnight, before gradually easing and clearing into Tuesday. Accumulations of 10-20 mm are possible fairly widely, with perhaps as much as 30-50 mm over Dartmoor. Given saturated ground following recent rain, there is a chance this may lead to some flooding and disruption in places.”
Safety Tips for Drivers
The RAC recommends precautions for navigating heavy rain. Drivers should lower speeds and maintain greater distances from other vehicles to account for extended stopping distances. Using dipped headlights improves visibility for everyone on the road. Additionally, running air conditioning helps prevent windows from fogging up, ensuring clearer sightlines.
