Weather

Storm Austen named as 70mph winds and travel disruption forecast

Anglers warned off beach as 62mph gusts and dangerous waves forecast

County braces for strong winds as gusts of 70mph expected

The Met Office has forecast mostly sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast mostly sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

The Met Office has forecast a mix of rainy and sunny weather in Dorset this weekend.

The Met Office has forecast a mix of rainy and sunny weather in Dorset this weekend.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Dorchester Borough Gardens in summer bloom

Dorchester Borough Gardens in summer bloom

Drought changes suggested for Dorchester public parks

A wrecked car in the aftermath of a storm in the early 1980s that swept water and large amounts of shingle over Preston beach wall

A wrecked car in the aftermath of a storm in the early 1980s that swept water and large amounts of shingle over Preston beach wall

Shocking photo shows the day the sea buried a Weymouth road

The Met Office has forecast mostly sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast mostly sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Silver Studded Blue Butterfly

Silver Studded Blue Butterfly

Big Butterfly Count

More than 38,000 butterflies recorded in Dorset this summer due to dry weather

Small Copper butterfly

Small Copper butterfly

Butterfly Conservation

Drought could leave butterflies fighting for survival in 2027, experts warn

Settled spell of warm, dry weather expected across Dorset

Wessex Water introduced a hosepipe ban on August 18 – the first since the famous summer of 1976

Wessex Water introduced a hosepipe ban on August 18 – the first since the famous summer of 1976

Hosepipe ban to stay in place despite rainfall as residents thanked for saving water

The Met Office has forecast a mix of cloudy and sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast a mix of cloudy and sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Landslide near Chapman's Pool

Landslide near Chapman's Pool

Pictures show aftermath of landslide as new warning issued

Thunderstorm warning for Dorset today

Red Arrows flypast cancelled due to bad weather

The Met Office has forecast a mix of sun and rain over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast a mix of sun and rain over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

James Berry, Deputy CEO at the PCA.

James Berry, Deputy CEO at the PCA.

Heavy rain forecast could put some homes at risk of flash flooding, experts warn

Local government

Flood protection measures proposed for listed cottage

The Met Office has forecast a mix of sun and rain over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast a mix of sun and rain over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

The AA has issued a warning following a spell of hot, dry weather, describing how heavy rain on hardened ground could lead to flash flooding, reduced visibility, and an increased risk of aquaplaning.

The AA has issued a warning following a spell of hot, dry weather, describing how heavy rain on hardened ground could lead to flash flooding, reduced visibility, and an increased risk of aquaplaning.

The AA urges drivers to prepare for rapidly changing road conditions

Wessex Water has issued a hosepipe ban across parts of Dorset from Tuesday, August 18

Wessex Water has issued a hosepipe ban across parts of Dorset from Tuesday, August 18

Hosepipe ban brought in as drought and heatwave demand hit supplies

Sun cream stains can be an annoyance to get out of clothes

Sun cream stains can be an annoyance to get out of clothes

Homes and interiors

People urged to follow these steps to get sun cream stains out of clothes

Drifted snow piled high along the road over the Ridgeway

Drifted snow piled high along the road over the Ridgeway

Pictures: The snowstorm that buried Dorset villages under 30ft drifts

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

The partial solar eclipse is expected to be visible on August 12

The partial solar eclipse is expected to be visible on August 12

Met Office forced to apologise for mistake on UK map shared ahead of solar eclipse

Margaret Green Animal Rescue has announced its decision to postpone its annual County Fayre & Dog Show out of concern for animal welfare as temperatures are forecast to increase by the weekend.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue has announced its decision to postpone its annual County Fayre & Dog Show out of concern for animal welfare as temperatures are forecast to increase by the weekend.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue

County Fayre & Dog Show in Dorset postponed out of concern for animal welfare

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

A yellow heat health alert is in place for Dorset. Image shows scorched fields in west Dorset after prolonged hot and dry weather.

A yellow heat health alert is in place for Dorset. Image shows scorched fields in west Dorset after prolonged hot and dry weather.

'Serious risk to health' - Warning issued as more hot weather expected

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Drought and sun scorched fairways at Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club. 23rd June 2026. Picture Credit: Graham Hunt Photography

Drought and sun scorched fairways at Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club. 23rd June 2026. Picture Credit: Graham Hunt Photography

Drought officially declared in Dorset an 'exceptionally serious situation'

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West is urging festival-goers to make the most of the summer while staying safe, particularly when it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and weather-related illness.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West is urging festival-goers to make the most of the summer while staying safe, particularly when it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and weather-related illness.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

UKHSA South West issues health advice for those attending festivals this summer

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 9am on July 24 to 9am on July 26 across the South West.

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 9am on July 24 to 9am on July 26 across the South West.

Yellow heat health alert issued across the area

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport and Lyme Regis

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport and Lyme Regis

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Environment Agency officers catch and move fish in the River Tarrant, near Tarrant Monkton in Dorset

Environment Agency officers catch and move fish in the River Tarrant, near Tarrant Monkton in Dorset

Environment Agency

West Country now in a state of prolonged dry weather due to a lack of rainfall

A fire on Dorset heathland being tackled by firefighters. Visitors are being asked to help prevent wildfires during the school holidays by avoiding disposable barbecues in the countryside.

A fire on Dorset heathland being tackled by firefighters. Visitors are being asked to help prevent wildfires during the school holidays by avoiding disposable barbecues in the countryside.

Country Land and Business Association

CLA South West urges vigilance as increased countryside visitors heightens fire risks

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

The RSPCA is urging pet snake owners to be extra vigilant during the warmer months - including this week’s heatwave - after new figures revealed a sharp rise in snake-related incidents across England and Wales.

The RSPCA is urging pet snake owners to be extra vigilant during the warmer months - including this week’s heatwave - after new figures revealed a sharp rise in snake-related incidents across England and Wales.

Heatwave prompts summer snake warning from RSPCA amid spike in stray incidents

Weymouth beach during a heatwave in June

Weymouth beach during a heatwave in June

Amber heat alert in place as temperatures expected to hit 34C over weekend

Advice has been issued to help save water as Dorset experiences an extreme heatwave

Advice has been issued to help save water as Dorset experiences an extreme heatwave

Water firm under pressure as supplies struggle to meet 'high demand'

Dorset warned of 'difficult wildfire conditions' this weekend

RSPCA issues guidance to help wild animals during heatwave

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Call for ban on disposable BBQs during hot weather

Some people have said on social media that opening your attic can help cool your home down, but that's not the case, says an expert

Some people have said on social media that opening your attic can help cool your home down, but that's not the case, says an expert

Does opening your loft hatch cool your house down in a heatwave?

Local government

Advice issued to rough sleepers as third heatwave hits Dorset

Do you have cold showers in a heatwave?

Do you have cold showers in a heatwave?

Do cold showers help cool you down in a heatwave? Experts suggest best temperature

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

Animals in RSPCA care staying cool

Animals in RSPCA care staying cool

Emergency action: what to do if you see an animal in a car during a heatwave

Lightning strikes over Portland Bill

Lightning strikes over Portland Bill

Stunning pictures and video capture lightning storm

Screenshots showing the moment before and during the lightning strike which almost hit James and his daughter

Screenshots showing the moment before and during the lightning strike which almost hit James and his daughter

WATCH- Father and daughter capture 'intense' moment of nearby lightning strike

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

The Met Office has forecast sunny weather over the weekend in Bridport, Dorchester, Portland, and Weymouth.

Weather forecast for Dorset over upcoming weekend

60mph winds expected along with thunderstorms as weather warning updated

Further disruption expected as schools and businesses closed due to extreme heatwave