Southampton Met Office heavy rain warning for February 8-9

The weather warning will last from 2am on Thursday, February 8 to around 6am on Friday, February 9.

Nearly all of southern England is covered by the warning as well as some parts of South Wales.

In a description of the weather warning, the forecaster said: "Periods of heavy rain will bring the possibility of some disruption, particularly to transport."

It comes as snow is forecast to hit parts of the UK.

The weather warning covers much of southern England (Image: Met Office)

What to expect with a yellow weather warning for rain

In terms of what to expect with the yellow "heavy rain warning" the Met Office says:

• Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible
• Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
• Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer

In an official statement, the forecaster said: "A couple of bands of rain, heavy in places, will push northwards across southern England and south Wales during Thursday and early on Friday.

"Whilst a drier interlude is likely for a time during the middle part of Thursday, many places in the warning area will see 15-25 mm of rain accumulate during this period.

"However, some higher ground areas of southern England and south Wales could see as much as 35-45 mm of rain."

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This weather warning for rain follows amber and yellow weather warnings for snow that will impact large areas of northern England and northern Wales on the same day.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Almond said: “There’s an increased signal for wintry hazards as we move through the week as cold air from the north moves over the UK.

“It’s from Thursday that the snow risk becomes potentially impactful, as mild air attempts to move back in from the south, bumping into the cold air and increasing the chance of snow where the two systems meet."