Flood alert as week of rain on way

AFTER a weekend of thunderstorms Britain faces a wet week ahead, forecasters have warned.

The heat of last week seemed a distant memory yesterday as torrential rain brought flash flooding across southern Britain.

Northern areas also endured heavy showers.

The South and Wales are likely to have the most rainfall this week, with frequent lightning, gusty winds and downpours.

Up to 1.6in of rain could fall in less than an hour, said the Met Office.

Warnings

Four flood warnings have been issued across the West Midlands by the Environment Agency.

Yorkshire and Lancashire will feel chilly over the next few days beneath heavy cloud and bracing winds, but the South will remain humid with temperatures reaching 77F (25C).

The Met Office had yellow thunderstorm warnings in place until 9pm today. Its forecaster Craig Snell said tomorrow “there is risk of further thunderstorms, but they do look like they might not be as potent”.