THE Met Office has issued a severe yellow weather warning for today following a washout weekend.

Eleven hours of rain is forecast to drench the region from 3pm prompting concerns of localised flooding.

The warning covers a huge swathe of the country stretching from Brighton and Portsmouth to Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester.

Commuters in Sussex are being urged to be on the look out for cancellations to trains and bus services and flooding could lead to road closures.

What to expect

  • There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings;
  • There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life;
  • Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services;
  • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures;
  • There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads;
  • There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

The Met Office said: "Rain is expected to move northwards across much of England on Monday, heavy at times, especially during the afternoon and evening.

"15 to 25 mm is likely to fall quite widely, and there is potential for 40 to 60 mm to fall in a few places.

"This brings a risk of flooding and disruption, but the situation is uncertain such that the likelihood of this across any given county is small.

"The rain is expected to clear away northeastwards during Monday evening and night."

Monday temperatures will peak at 11C.

Three weeks of torrential rain could be on the cards as unsettled weather looks to follow the country into November.

Temperatures should remain average for the time of year but it may seem colder due to the wet and windy weather.