UK weather warning with floods and nearly one month's rainfall feared TODAY

Flooding is feared today across parts of the UK as nearly one month's rainfall is expected to lash across the country in just several hours.

A yellow weather warning for rain concerns the Southwest of England and south Wales, where some places will see 60mm of rain fall between six and nine hours. Flood alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency, which says it is monitoring river levels and has urged Brits to take care throughout the day.

The Met Office's warning states: "Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible... Some interruption to power supplies and other services is possible. Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer... Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer."

Typically, around 72mm of rain falls in Plymouth, Devon, in an average September but around 60mm could fall there today - nearly equalling the monthly total already. Southampton, also subject to the weather warning, sees an average of 60mm of rain in a standard September, and so the downpours there could be particularly severe today.

READ MORE: Met Office tells Brits in 31 areas to prepare 'emergency' kit for 14 hours

READ MORE: UK households told to sprinkle coffee on their garden as September begins

And while there is local worry for waterways near Southampton and the surrounding Hampshire area, the Environment Agency's official flood alerts mostly concern Devon. It says the River Axe area, particularly between Axminster and Axmouth, will be vulnerable throughout Wednesday morning.

Flooding is also possible further west beside the River Plym and Tory Brook, in and around Plympton and Bickleigh. The Environment Agency's website reads: "The rivers Plym and Tory Brook are expected to rise. Forecast levels suggest there could be flooding to low lying land and roads close to the rivers... Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions. We are monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages."

Downpours could be thundery at times, including across Wales. Most of the UK will be rainy in the afternoon, albeit less heavy than the deluge expected along the south coast. It is quite the change from the recent dry and balmy weather, during which temperatures reached 22.1C in Hawarden, north Wales, on Tuesday.

Rebekah Hicks, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "We're expecting a band of heavy rain and strong winds to move north-east through the first part of Wednesday, followed by heavy showers and the risk of thunderstorms. Some of these could bring hail and gusty winds, particularly in southern areas.

"Of course, the warning coincides with the first school run after the summer holidays for some, meaning a wet and potentially disruptive start to the day for many."

Coastal gales are likely for a time, especially along English Channel coasts, the Met Office added. These could peak at 50mph at the Kent and East Sussex coasts, though these areas are not subject to weather warnings at this stage.