Met Office rain warning: Possible flooding for south-west England including Cornwall ahead of Easter bank holiday getaway

The warning, which covers Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay, is in effect from 6pm on Good Friday (March 29) until 9am on Saturday, during which up to 75mm of rain could fall. The Met Office said this “prolonged spell of rain” could lead to difficult driving conditions and longer journey times.

Residents and travellers are being advised to prepare for possible flooding of homes and businesses, with the downpours also likely to be accompanied by windy conditions.

This comes days after a flood warning was issued in parts of Devon following intense rainfall. Mark Garratt, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Heavy rain and showers mean that minor surface water flooding is probable across parts of south-west England on Friday and into Saturday.”

“Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.” “We urge people not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

While the southwest braces for heavy rain, southern and eastern England are expected to enjoy “fine weather with some sunshine” on Good Friday, with temperatures reaching up to 18°C in the southeast, according to the Met Office.

Saturday is likely to bring “showery bursts” across southern England, along with a bit of a breeze, while northern and eastern areas may see drier spells and “fine weather”.

“You’ll find that showery rain tends to sort of wax and wane as we head through the day, but still a fair amount of cloud here,” said Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir.

Highs of 16°C are forecast for southern England, with a chilly night to follow, including lows near freezing. On Easter Sunday, forecasters predict a calmer day with lighter winds and a mix of sunshine and cloud, with highs of 16°C in London, 15°C in Cardiff, and 11°C in Edinburgh.

But the break in the weather may be short-lived. Monday is expected to be more unsettled, with outbreaks of rain and showers mainly affecting southern and western parts of the UK, though central and southeast England may enjoy the warmest temperatures, reaching around 19°C.