Met Office issues new weather warnings as 28 areas told 'be prepared' - full list

The Met Office has issued two new weather warnings for rain as downpours of up to 40mm and localised flooding are forecast. A yellow alert is in place for much of Northern Ireland from 10am today until 11.59pm, covering five out of the six counties. County Fermanagh is the only one to escape the downpours and, elsewhere, areas of high ground could see accumulations of 30 to 40mm, potentially causing flooding and travel disruption.

The Met Office said: "Persistent rain leading to some flooding and transport disruption on Thursday. Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer. Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer." The second yellow warning has been issued for parts of South Wales and South West England, in effect from 8am today until 4pm.

While the rain is forecast to be less persistent than in Northern Ireland, up to 20mm in a few places, some flooding and travel disruption is still expected.

The Met Office said: Frequent showers and some longer spells of rain, heavy at times, are likely during Thursday. 5 to 15 mm is likely to fall widely in a few hours, with up to 20 mm in a few places.

"Given saturated ground, this may lead to some flooding and transport disruption. The heaviest of the rain will clear northeastwards by late afternoon." 

In its advice, the Met Office urged Brits to "be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly". It added: "When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area." 

Full list of affected areas

South West England

Bath and North East Somerset

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole

Bristol

Devon

Dorset

Gloucestershire

North Somerset

Somerset

South Gloucestershire

Wiltshire

Wales

Blaenau Gwent

Bridgend

Caerphilly

Cardiff

Merthyr Tydfil

Monmouthshire

Neath Port Talbot

Newport

Powys

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Swansea

Torfaen

Vale of Glamorgan

Northern Ireland

County Antrim

County Armagh

County Down

County Londonderry

County Tyrone