HEAVY rain and strong winds are sweeping across Dorset.

A yellow weather warning – meaning be aware – has been issued for the whole of the country and is valid from just after midnight on Monday until 10am on Tuesday.

The Met Office says delays to road, rail and ferry transport are likely, including for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges.

The Chief Forecaster said: “A band of heavy rain, along with the possibility of hail and some hill snow, will move eastwards across Wales and southwest England early on Tuesday morning. 20 mm of rain is possible within 2-3 hours in some places, sufficient to cause some flooding of roads.

“It will also be very windy, with the southerly wind expected to gust 50-60 mph widely and as high as 65-70 mph along some exposed coasts and over high ground.”