A STORM forecast to bring heavy rain and wind to the south coast of England today has been named 'Storm Aurore' by French meteorologists.

As reported, a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office.

Forecasters are expecting heavy rain from around 4pm today, Wednesday October 20, lasting until the early hours of the morning at 3am on Thursday October 21.

Storm Aurore has been named by Météo-France as a low pressure system is set to bring high winds to the north of France on Wednesday and early Thursday, with coastal areas expected to be affected the most.

The storm has been named by Météo-France as more significant impacts are expected there. The French meteorological service is part of a different storm naming group than the Met Office, which means that the next storm named by either Met Eireann, KNMI or the Met Office will still be Storm Arwen, and will be named when more significant impacts are expected in one of those countries.

The northern part of the frontal system wrapped around Storm Aurore glances southern England as the system moves eastwards.

The Met Office warns that wet and windy weather is likely to bring some disruption to parts of southern England this evening and overnight.

The warning is in place covering the whole of the south coast, right across from Cornwall to Kent, with Dorset expected to be affected by the rain.

Bus and train services will probably be affected leading to longer journey times, warn forecasters, as well as spray and flooding on roads, potential interruption to power supplies and that flooding to homes and businesses is likely.

The heavy rain in England could see between 15mm and 25mm fall in the warning area, with up to 50mm possible in some places. This will be associated with some coastal gales, with winds of up to 45mph possible in some exposed locations, and widely breezy elsewhere.

“The worst weather associated with Aurore will be on its southern flank, over northern France. The northern edge of Aurore will catch southern England, dealing us a glancing blow,” said Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist Dan Suri.

“What this means for us is some heavy rain this evening and overnight. The Channel Islands, however, being closer to France, will be more directly in the firing line and experience high winds this evening and overnight. Of course, high winds will also affect the English Channel so marine interests are encouraged to keep abreast of the shipping forecast.”

Previously there was a yellow warning for a thunderstorm between 4am this morning, Wednesday October 20, lasting until midday today.