THE Met Office has extended its weather warning into the weekend as Storm Alex approaches.

A yellow weather alert remains in force between 3am and 8pm on Friday for heavy rain and strong winds.

However, a new weather warning has been issued for heavy rain which could bring between 25 and 50mm of rainfall to many places with as much as 100 to 125mm possible in parts of south west England.

Bournemouth-based weather enthusiast Dorset Snow said it could be “one of the worst weekends of weather of all time in Dorset”.

The fresh warning will be in force between 3am on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Heavy rain will push north and west across the UK, clearing from much of southeast England by Saturday afternoon. However, it is expected to remain heavy and persistent throughout Saturday and into mid-Sunday across eastern Scotland, the far northeast of England, much of Wales, and southwest England.

"This is likely to bring flooding and some disruption to travel. Many places will see 25-50 mm of rainfall, with totals of 100-125 mm expected over the high ground of eastern Scotland, and perhaps parts of Wales and southwest England.

They added: “The unusual wind direction associated with the rainfall will mean that the peak rainfall totals are likely to occur in some areas that are usually well sheltered and direr during unsettled spells of weather. During Sunday the rain will turn more showery in nature and become significantly less widespread.”

In terms of what to expect, the Met Office says:

  • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
  • There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
  • There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
  • There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads
  • There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses