Crossword Genius

It’s pouring rain and cooler (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stir

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'cooler' is the definition.
(both are slang terms for prison)

'it's pouring rain' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sir' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stir that I've seen before include "Whisk or rotate" , "Slight movement" , "Rotate spoon" , "created by an agitator?" , "Agitate - disturbance" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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