TORRENTIAL rain continues to lash Dorset with a yellow weather warning in place until 6pm tonight.

It comes ahead of August Bank Holiday which follows a mixed bag of weather for Weymouth and the south west.

This morning there are reports of flooding at the Monkeys Jump roundabout in Dorchester, at Weston Road on Portland and some reports of trees down in different parts of the county.

Councillor Jason Osborne, Weymouth and Portland Borough spokesman for culture and tourism, said he was optimistic that beachgoers will have a great weekend regardless of the weather.

Cllr Osborne, who runs a hotel on the Esplanade, said: “It is disappointing for people who have saved up all year for their holiday to get weather like this. But there’s nothing you can do about it. Weymouth is a fantastic place in the sunshine, there’s really nowhere like it. But when it rains, like everywhere else, it can be a bit grim.”

He added that he didn’t think the weather would put anyone off coming to the town.

“It’s like this across the South West. And it rained on the day of the carnival and that didn’t stop people having a great time.

“I do feel sorry for the children, but there’s always a few who go down to the beach with a bucket and spade regardless.”

The Met Office has issued a yellow alert warning people to ‘be aware’ of severe weather.

The warning states: “Outbreaks of rain, persistent and heavy at times, are expected to spread east across southern England.

“Many parts of the warning area have already seen large rainfall accumulations over the past few days and therefore this further rain may cause come minor local surface water flooding.

“Lightning may be an additional hazard. The public should be aware that some local disruption to transport looks likely.”

The Chief Forecaster said: “A frontal wave is expected to move in from the southwest, bringing some heavy rain to southern England.

“Whilst there remains some uncertainty in the exact location of the heaviest rainfall, accumulations of 20 to 40mm could be possible quite widely within the warning area, whilst 50 to 60mm is possible in one or two places. Rain is expected to become increasingly confined to the south east through Wednesday.”

Dorset traffic officers issued advice for drivers in the wet weather.

“Remember your stopping distance is doubled on a wet road. Use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced.”

Thursday is set to be cloudy but dry. Forecasters are expecting a sunny day in Weymouth on Friday, with the rain returning on Saturday along with cooler temperatures.