Met Office issues weather warning for two days of heavy rain

TWO days of heavy rain has been forecast by the Met Office for the New Forest and Christchurch in a weather warning for the south of England.

The local area has been included in the yellow alert which said there would be a risk of flooding along with gale-force winds.

The warning covers south-west England and south wales with conditions predicted to last from midday today (Tuesday) until 3pm tomorrow.

The Met Office said flooding of a few homes and businesses across the zone was “likely”, with possible delays to buses, trains and on the roads.

The low-level warning said: “A broad area of heavy rain is expected to move north-eastwards across this region during Tuesday.

“Heavy showers then follow, these probably heaviest and most numerous on and near coastal areas, especially in Wales and south-west England. Conditions also quite windy at times, especially in coastal areas where gales are likely.

“The combination of rain and subsequent showers likely leads to 10-20mm of rain quite widely whilst over high ground and in locations where showers are particularly frequent 20-40mm may build up in a few places.”

It added: “Given already saturated ground following recent rainfall this brings the chance of further flooding and travel disruption.”

Met Office advice for driving in storms, rain and high winds is to slow down if windscreen wipers are required, and avoid travelling during particularly heavy downpours.

Slippery roads mean it is advisable to increase the following gap to the car in front to at least four seconds, and give extra room to pedestrians and cyclists.

It said the number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water, so the safest guidance is “turn around, don’t drown”.

Main roads are likely to be less affected by fallen branches and flooding. Motorists should watch out for gaps between trees where vehicles can be exposed to stronger side winds.