Heavy rain and travel disruption expected across South West England
Yellow weather warning for heavy rain issued by the Met Office
Last updated 22nd Jan 2026
A yellow weather warning has been issued for South West England, with heavy rain expected to cause flooding and travel disruption throughout Thursday.
According to the Met Office, frequent showers and longer spells of rain, heavy at times, are likely, with 5 to 15 mm expected to fall in a few hours and up to 20 mm in some areas. The rain could lead to flooding due to already saturated ground, particularly affecting roads and public transport services.
Regions under the warning include Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. The heaviest rain is expected to clear northeastwards by late afternoon.
Advice for travellers
The Met Office urges people to stay updated with their local weather forecasts and recommends checking road conditions or public transport timetables before traveling to avoid delays. Adjustments to travel plans might be necessary depending on conditions.
Drivers are also encouraged to prepare for winter weather and consider safety measures such as reducing speed, planning routes to avoid deeply flooded areas, and ensuring headlights are used effectively.
Why is this a yellow warning?
The yellow weather warning indicates a medium likelihood of rainfall with a low impact expected. While there is a chance of disruption, the impact is not severe enough for a higher warning level.
The warning was issued at 04:37 (UTC) on the morning of 22nd January 2026.