Warning: Yellow

To expect: Rain

Affected areas: London and South East England, South West England, Wales

Start time estimate: Saturday 7pm

End time estimate: Sunday 10pm

The Met Office has announced an updated Yellow rain warning for London and South East England, South West England and Wales for Saturday and Sunday.

The warning is covering parts of London and South East England, South West England, Wales. All local areas affected are listed below.

Heavy downpours is set to hit the regions, beginning at around 7pm on Saturday and dying out by 10pm on Sunday.

The updated Yellow warning for rain was announced at 11:55am on Friday, July 18.

A Met Office forecast said: “Outbreaks of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected to affect southwest England from Saturday evening, gradually spreading further north and east across Wales during early Sunday morning. Further heavy showers and thunderstorms will break out in places across the warning area through the course of Sunday. Rainfall amounts will vary from place to place, but in some areas 30 to 50 mm is likely to fall in a few hours and there is a small chance that a few locations could see 75 mm or more.”

What to expect

There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services; There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life; There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses; There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads; Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

What should you do during intense rain?

Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.

Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do: consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.

For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.

Full list of local areas affected

London and South East England
Hampshire

South West England
Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Torbay, Wiltshire

Wales
Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan

What is an updated yellow weather warning?

The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.

A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.

An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.

A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.

The Yellow weather alert for rain will remain in place until 10pm on Sunday.