There goes the sun...

Temperatures to tumble as storms sweep away heatwave

Torrential rain, thunder and hail are set to bring the heatwave to a dramatic close at the weekend.

Temperatures today are again expected to hit highs of at least 31C (88F) in parts of north-west England and north Wales.

But heavy rain is due to arrive in south-western areas on Friday night. It will spread north and east to the whole of England and Wales, lasting through Saturday and into Sunday.

Up to four inches could fall in places, bringing a risk of flooding. A weather warning has been issued by the Meteorological Office for Saturday and Sunday for much of England and Wales apart from northern England.

A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Heavy, thundery showers are likely to break out by day, particularly on Sunday when they could be locally torrential.

‘Lightning and hail are also expected. Rainfall amounts will vary, but there is the potential for up to 100mm (4in) to build up in some locations over the course of the weekend, much of which could fall in a short period of time.’

Temperatures are due to fall as low as 17C (63F) in the north East, and to around the seasonal average of 21C (70F) in the South.

The death toll of those trying to cool off in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and the sea yesterday rose to 14.

On Tuesday evening a man died in the sea off Crosby, Merseyside, a boy of 15 drowned in a canal in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, and a man drowned at Stanborough Lakes in Welwyn Garden City,

Hertfordshire. Yesterday a man’s body was found in Brothers Water, Cumbria. Paul duggan, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, warned: ‘We urge people not to go into open water, no matter how hot it is. Even strong swimmers can suffer from cold water shock and it can kill you in 60 seconds.

‘You also never know how unpredictable under-water currents can be, or what is under the surface.’