Heavy rain and thunderstorms warning

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Devon.

Forecasters say heavy downpours and thunderstorms may affect eastern parts of the region.

More persistent and at times heavy rain will develop across Devon during today (Sunday), clearing northwards during the early afternoon.

The public should be aware that flooding may result from either short-period intense rainfall this evening, or more persistent heavy rain thereafter. This warning may be updated as further information becomes available.

A chief forecaster at the Exeter-based agency said: “Some parts of the warning area could receive 30-60 mm of rain through the period, which will include some localised downpours which could produce 15-20 mm within an hour.”

The warning is valid until 1pm today (Sunday).

Nick Hopwood, national duty flood manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Heavy rainfall on Saturday evening and into Sunday brings the risk of surface water flooding to some areas. Rivers may also respond to persistent rainfall on Sunday through to Monday. If you're driving away or back from your summer holidays, as always, please do not drive through flood water.

"Check your flood risk on our website, especially if you're holidaying in an area where you're not familiar with the flood risk. We are monitoring the situation closely and supporting local authorities who will respond to any reports of surface water flooding. Our teams are out on the ground working hard, clearing trash screens and blockages in watercourses and culverts."

The changeable weather will continue as we head into next week:

Sunday:

Rain at first over western Scotland and Northern Ireland will quickly clear west. Rain, heavy at times over the southwest will spread north through the day. Sunnier in the north.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Unsettled throughout and windy at times with showers or longer spells of rain and a few brighter interludes. Southern parts likely to see the heaviest and most prolonged rainfall.