A yellow weather warning has been issued for Swindon and Wiltshire as the Met Office predicts heavy rain and flooding.

Weather forecasts predict that heavy rain will hit most of southern England on Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5, with a yellow warning issued across Wiltshire.

Up to 50mm of rainfall is predicted within just two hours in the worst affected areas.

Spray and sudden flooding on roads could lead to difficult driving conditions and possible road closures, the forecaster warns, and there is a chance public transport may be disrupted.

"Whilst there is some uncertainty, and not all areas will be affected, scattered heavy showers on Wednesday evening are expected to merge into longer spells of heavy, showery rain in places through Wednesday night into Thursday morning," said a spokesperson for the Met Office.

"Where heavy downpours occur, perhaps thundery in places, accumulations of 20-40 mm are possible in an hour or two, with the small chance of isolated accumulations over 50 mm, potentially impacting the Thursday morning commute in some areas."

The Met Office has warned that those within the yellow warning area, which includes Wiltshire, should be prepared for:

  • Fooding which could lead to difficult driving conditions
  • A chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
  • A slight chance that power cuts could occur
  • Damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds
  • A small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life

The Met Office yellow warning covers all of south-east England and as far west as Taunton and Cardiff in Wales, and Birmingham, Peterborough and Norwich are also within the warning zone.