Forecasters issue new weather warning for Devon and Cornwall

Severe weather warnings and flood alerts have been issued for tomorrow and Friday across Devon and Cornwall as heavy thundery showers sweep in.

Met Office chiefs said the alert is likely to remain in place until the weekend, with the current drizzle in many parts of the Westcountry turning into heavy downpours.

The gloomy forecast comes as figures released this week by the Exeter-based weather experts confirm June was the wettest on record in Devon and the second wettest in Cornwall. In Devon 174.8mm fell over the month, showing more than double the usual level for the time of year, while in Cornwall the figure was 155.2mm – again more than double the average.

Weather warnings will cover North and North East Cornwall and much of Devon, including Plymouth and South Devon. By Friday the area widens considerably to include most of Cornwall apart from the far west tip, and all of Devon into Somerset.

BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC 1.0 ECOBOOST FOR ONLY £7685*

Swanson Motor Company

View details

Print voucher

DRIVE AWAY A BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC FOR ONLY £7685.
1.0 100PS Manual
WITH:
Electric Windows & Mirrors
Quickclear Heated Windscreen
15" Alloy Wheels
Bluetooth with Ford Sync
Fog Lights

Terms: *Drive away from only £7685 and then pay nothing for 24 months!
4.9% APR
Conditions Apply

Contact: 01626 240583

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

A spokesman for the Met Office said the ground was already saturated and further rain would lead to localised flooding.

She said: "It's really not looking good for the next couple of days. Our figures show June was the wettest record on record for Devon and the second for Cornwall and conditions look likely to remain unsettled over the weekend and into next week.

"Drivers really need to be careful on the roads because of spray and we're likely to see patches of localised flooding as water runs off the ground, which is already soaked."

Temperatures over the next few days will be on the low side at 18-19 degrees Celsius inland and 14-15 at coastal areas including Newquay.

Winds are forecast to range between 15 and 20mph – strong enough to trigger the odd gust, but not powerful enough to spark storms, according to the Met Office.

Environment Agency chiefs issued two flood alerts – the first was at the River Plym and Tory Brook covering Plympton, Coypool, Newnham Park, Marsh Mills, Clearbrook and Meavy.

A second was at the rivers Tavy and Walkham at Tavistock, Walkhampton, Bedford Bridge, Horrabridge and Lopwell.

A spokesman said: "We have engineers out and about making sure flood defences are up to scratch and culverts and drains aren't blocked.

"Tomorrow and Friday between midday and 3pm will be the crunch period."