Heavy downpours expected across Devon

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of rain for Devon today.

Forecasters say rain will occur across parts of the South West this afternoon, easing later, whilst further spells of heavy rain will affect eastern parts of England into tonight.

Motorists are urged to take care on the region’s roads with the risk of localised surface water flooding.

The Exeter-based agency's Chief Forecaster said: “An area of low pressure now across southeast England is bringing a combination of rather persistent and sometimes heavy rainfall, as well as strong winds blowing from the northeast, with gusts around 40mph in places for a time.

“The most persistent and heaviest rain will be over north or northeast facing hills in the southwest of England at first and then increasingly over the hills of the northeast Midlands as well as the Lincolnshire Wolds, with a further 20-30mm of rain during the rest of today.

“At the same time narrow bands of heavy showers circulating around the low pressure centre will bring more localised heavy rain (10-15 mm within an hour) to parts of the southeast and East Anglia, where there has already been 20-30 mm of rain within the last 12 hours.

“The combination of rain and wind is likely to lead to unpleasant conditions on the roads with spray and surface water, the latter perhaps exacerbated by leaves blocking drains.”

Forecast for tomorrow:

Outbreaks of rain, mainly in the northeast, will gradually clear northeastwards. The cloud will slowly break up from the southwest with some bright or sunny spells likely for many later. Maximum temperature 17 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Rain moves erratically northeastwards during Wednesday and Thursday with sunny spells and showers, locally heavy with thunder, following. Further rain follows from the west on Friday. Becoming mild.