South West England, including Somerset, faces the threat of heavy rain and possible flooding later this week, according to a weather alert from the Met Office. A “yellow” weather warning for rain is in place on Thursday, January 15, from 9am to 11:59pm, affecting parts of southern England and Wales.
The warning covers a wide area, including Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Plymouth, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay, and Wiltshire.
Residents in these regions are advised to prepare for heavy rainfall falling on already saturated ground, increasing the risk of surface water flooding on Thursday. The Met Office warns of possible disruptions to bus and train services, as well as hazardous road conditions caused by spray and localized flooding that may delay travel times.
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Meteorologists explain that a deepening low-pressure system will move northeast across England and Wales on Thursday, bringing persistent and heavy rain throughout the day before clearing by evening. Rainfall accumulations of 20-40 mm are expected across much of the area within a few hours, with some isolated locations potentially receiving 40-70 mm, particularly in parts of South West England.
To mitigate impact, the Met Office recommends residents review their flood risk and have a flood plan and emergency flood kit ready. Travelers should check conditions before setting out and consider altering plans to avoid affected routes. Additionally, preparation for possible power outages is advised by keeping torches, batteries, mobile phone power packs, and other essentials on hand.
The Met Office stresses the importance of staying informed, advising people to monitor weather updates closely as conditions can change rapidly during such warnings.