Live weather blog - water levels rising sharply, Environment Agency warns (From Thisisdorset)

10:11am

Flooded fields at Frampton yesterday by Echo photographer Graham Hunt

10:06am

Flooding on the road at Notton by Echo photographer Graham Hunt

9:28am

Winterbourne Steepleton - water is running from the stream and onto the road.

9:26am

Latest weather forecas from Portland Maritime Rescue and Co-ordination Centre.

Winds will decrease during the day. Currently they are south Westerly veering North Westerly 5-6, decreasing to 4.

The sea is rough but it is meant to ease off during the day.

8:20am

The West Stafford bypass is blocked by West Stafford due to flooding and there is also some minor flooding between Charminster and Charlton Down.

8:18am

There is also flooding at Winfrith Newburgh between Water Lane and the junction with Station Road.

8:15am

8:08am

There has been a landslide on the C13 Higher Shaftesbury Road in Melbury Abbas, between the White Pit Lane junction and the B3081 junction.

The road is closed in both directions.

8:05am

Will it rain today? Some dramatic pictures of the rain sweeping over the UK- http://www.raintoday.co.uk/

8:04am

8:04am

8:04am

8:03am

Good Morning

What's the weather like in your corner of Dorset today?

Send us your weather pictures and stories to newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk or simply comment below.

7:45pm

Some 57 of the 250 flood warnings in place across England are in the South West.

Keep your tweets and pictures coming overnight on Twitter using the hashtag #dorsetweather

You can also email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk or call 01305 830999 from 8am tomorrow.

7:11pm

The Environment Agency has warned tonight that groundwater levels in Dorset are rising sharply following the heavy rainfall.
A flood warning has been issued for the South Winterborne Valley for the following locations: Winterbourne Abbas, Winterbourne Steepleton, Martinstown or Winterbourne St Martin, Winterbourne Monkton, Winterbourne Herringston and Winterbourne Came.
The groundwater level at the Kingston Russell borehole has reached 116 metres and this could lead to flooding of roads including the A35. Levels will continue to rise into the beginning of next week. Further heavy rainfall is expected during the rest of today and early tomorrow.

5:55pm

THE Highways Agency is warning drivers to check weather conditions before they travel tonight and tomorrow morning with more heavy rain expected across the south west.
South west operations manager Gill Risdale said: “We encourage road users to drive according to the conditions and be prepared to slow down.
“We are setting our message signs to warn of hazardous conditions but ask drivers to pay attention and observe the warnings."

4:16pm

3:14pm

Richard Wilson sent us this picture of the River Frome and flooded water meadows in Dorchester.

3:13pm

12:13pm

12:13pm

11:40am

10:34am

9:54am

Here's a round up of flooding on Dorset's roads:

A352 - Flooding  between East Knighton Lane in Winfrith Newburgh and the junction in Warmwell.

A37 - Flooding at Grimstone by the Dorchester Road junction.

A35 - Flooding on A35 between the Shell roundabout at Bere Regis and Morden Park Corner in East Morden.

A30 - Flooding on A30 in East Stour.

9:43am

A tree blown down at Delhi Lane, Portland.

Thanks to reader Roger Sutherland for the picture

9:36am

A land slide in Beaminster, near North Street, blocked part of the road last night.

9:36am

Litton Lane in Burton Bradstock is flooded as are some roads in Wool.

9:35am

West Bay Road in Bridport has a burst water main.

It started at about midnight and residents have the sand bags out.

9:23am

9:23am

Good morning!

It's looking brighter and drier today.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said they were kept busy all last night (24) rescuing people that got stuck in flood water.

4:38pm

4:34pm

2:29pm

A woman was saved after she became trapped in her car in flood water.
Two fire crews were called out at 9.30am this morningto rescue the car from water at Sturminster Newton.
The woman was checked over by the ambulance service.
Firefighters are urging people not to make unnecessary trips in this bad weather.

2:16pm

2:15pm

1:29pm

The flood warning for the Lower Frome from Dorchester to East Stoke is no longer in force, the Environment Agency says.

Also lifted is the Middle Stour flood warning, from Sturminster Newton to Sturminster Marshall.

A flood warning is still in place for the Lower Frome from East Stoke to Wareham and for the Lower Stour from Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch.

Both warnings are among eight flood warnings for the South West.

12:49pm

Dorchester's FA Trophy clash with Luton has been called off after a third and final pitch inspection.

A club statement said: "After a third pitch inspection the referee has deemed the pitch as unplayable.

"Therefore the match against Luton Town has had to be postponed.

"Dorchester Town Football Club apologise to those adversely affected for this late decision."

12:45pm

12:38pm

11:58am

11:58am

11:53am

Another pitch inspection will take place at Dorchester Town FC at 12pm today to determine whether the FA Trophy match against Luton Town will go ahead.

11:25am

11:13am

Coastguards in-shore weather report:

South easterly force 5-7, then moving to westerly increasing to severe gale forece 9, before returning to south westerly later on.

The winds will die down this evening.

The sea state is rough or very rough.

10:59am

10:59am

The Portland Coastguard helicopter was sent to help a taxi driver and a passenger who were trapped in the car in flood water.
Yesterday afternoon the helicopter was sent to help the two people, who were trapped off the A353 in Sherborne, but they were rescued before the crew arrived on the scene.

10:43am

10:43am

10:36am

Soccer games in the area have been called off because of heavy downpours.

Matches called off are Weymouth vs Leamington Spa, Portland United, Weymouth Reserves, Portland Reserves, Chickerell United, Upwey and Broadwey and Lyme Regis.

Officials at Dorchester Town FC will decide whether the FA Trophy match against Luton will go ahead at a pitch inspection at 11am.