Met Office hits Devon with heavy rain warning amid cold snap

Forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for rain in Devon and Cornwall this weekend. It comes as freezing temperatures continue to grip the region with snow on the radar in the coming days.

The Met Office rain warning is in place from 6am on Saturday (November 23) until 6am on Sunday. The Exeter-based forecaster is warning of heavy rainfall and potential flooding across the area affected.

The warning covers Torbay, western parts of Exeter, Okehampton, Dartmoor and Plymouth. Forecasters expect up to 125mm of rain to fall on Dartmoor.

Meanwhile, a cold weather health alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remains in place until 6pm on Saturday (November 23). Officials have warned that conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.

The Met Office said: "Heavy rain may cause some travel disruption and flooding this weekend." The forecaster added: "A deep area of low pressure is expected to bring a spell of prolonged and, at times, heavy rainfall across a large part of the UK this weekend.

"Across southwest England, rain is expected to develop during Saturday morning with heavier rain likely later in the day and overnight into early Sunday morning. 50-75 mm of rain is expected to fall fairly widely during this time with a chance that some places over Dartmoor could see 100-125 mm. Strong southerly winds will accompany the heavy rain and may locally exacerbate impacts."

The forecaster has outlined what to expect during the rain warning:

• There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
• 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
• Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads

Met Office 5-day forecast for the South West

Today: A bright day with prolonged sunny spells, though cloud building in the west later. Occasional showers, wintry over the Moors, gradually easing during the day with many staying dry. Feeling cold in a brisk northerly wind. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Tonight: Dry throughout Wednesday evening as winds ease. Rain and perhaps hill snow arriving in the west during the early hours of Thursday. Frosty in the east but chilly for all. Minimum temperature -2 °C.

Thursday: A wet day with rain spreading across the region along, turning to snow over the Moors. Feeling rather cold again, with blustery winds around coasts at times. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Frosty start to Friday with wintry showers easing and sunny spells emerging. Becoming wet and windy into the weekend, perhaps with hill snow for a time, but also turning milder.