The Met Office has issued a vile nine-hour rain warning which will batter the whole of Devon and Cornwall tonight. Heavy rain will dominate the region from 6pm on Monday until 3am on Tuesday.

Power cuts and disruption to travel and infrastructure are all possible, the Met Office said as the country wonders where summer is. Issuing the warning, the Exeter-based forecaster said: "Rain becoming persistent and heavy this evening, leading to some impacts on travel and infrastructure.

"After a generally cloudy day with showers, more persistent rain will push north this evening and overnight. Rain will be persistent and heavy at times, particularly so for hills, moors and headlands exposed to brisk winds.

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"Most of the warning area will see 20-40 mm of rain, with as much as 60-70 mm possible for some areas, for example Dartmoor and Exmoor. Rain should ease from the south during the night, clearing to scattered showers by morning."

What to Expect

  • Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
  • Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
  • Some interruption to power supplies and other services likely

Five-day South West England forecast:

Today:

A cloudy start to the new week with spells of rain and drizzle throughout much of the day. Feeling cool underneath the cloud with a breeze picking up later in the day. Maximum temperature 17 °C.

Tonight:

Rain continuing in the west this evening, turning heavy at times and becoming more widespread into the night, before clearing north and eastwards. Breezy and mild. Minimum temperature 12 °C.

Tuesday:

An unsettled start with low pressure dominating, bringing spells of rain and drizzle, followed by possibly heavy showers. Feeling humid in any brightness but cooler under the rain. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Largely dry on Wednesday with the odd shower. Sunshine and showers on Thursday, before turning drier into Friday with sunny spells. Feeling pleasant in any sunshine.