Yellow weather warning in place across the South could see winds of up to 60mph, Met Office warns

There is potential for flooding and transport delays because of strong winds and heavy rain set to hit parts of the UK on Thursday.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for parts of Wales, southern and western England, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.

Strong winds and rain could impact areas including Portsmouth and Brighton from 10am-7pm, it said with some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport likely, as well as spray and flooding on roads possibly making journey times longer.

The flooding of a few homes or business is also possible, it added.

The weather service said there could be 10-22mm of rain, with 40-50mph gusts inland, rising to 60-70mph on exposed coasts.

The forecaster added: “A brief spell of heavy rain and strong, gusty winds perhaps causing some transport disruption and flooding.

“A narrow band of rain, heavy at times and perhaps briefly intense, will move eastwards late on Thursday morning and into the afternoon, clearing Kent during the evening.

“Ten to 15 mm is likely to fall in a one-to-two-hour period, with around 20 mm in a few places.

“With saturated ground, this is likely to lead to a fair amount of surface water on roads and flooding in one or two places.

“Strong winds will be an additional hazard with gusts of 40-50 mph inland and perhaps briefly 60-70 mph along some exposed coasts”

It warned there could be delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport in worst affected areas.

Some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities could see spray and or large waves.

The Met Office adds: “A spell of strong southerly winds will develop during Thursday morning, with gusts of 40-50 mph inland and perhaps briefly 60-70 mph along some exposed coasts, accompanied by a short period of heavy rain.

“Winds easing from the west during the late morning and early afternoon.”

The Met Office’s current outlook for Friday to Sunday has forecast: “Showers easing on Friday, but with strong winds and rain moving in from the west through Saturday that will gradually clear from the north west during Sunday. Becoming mild this weekend.”

It issues warnings when severe weather has the potential to bring impacts to the UK.

Its guidance states: “Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.

“Many are issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places.”