THUNDERSTORMS and up to three inches of rain are set to batter Britain today with the Met Office issuing a yellow alert.
The warning stretches across much of England and parts of eastern Wales, and remains in place until 9pm tonight.
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However, temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 25C this afternoon in London, with much of the south remaining warm and humid.
Wind gusts are expected to peak in parts southern Scotland at around 24mph.
Heavy showers could see flooding, while lightning strikes, hail and strong winds are also likely in parts.
The weather agency warns that conditions could lead to train and bus cancellations, and power cuts could occur.
The warning states there will be “disruption from heavy showers and thunderstorms”.
An area through the middle of England – from the Isle of Wight up to Newcastle upon Tyne is covered by the alert, which came into force at 4am.
In Wales, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and Wrexham are all affected.
The Environment Agency currently has seven flood alerts in place.
The Met Office said: “A Yellow severe weather warning for thunderstorms on Sunday has been issued for a swathe of England, fringing into eastern Wales.
“Although most places will miss them, and there remains a possibility that they fail to develop at all, if they do develop within this warning area 30 to 40mm of rain may fall in less than an hour with perhaps over 75mm in one or two places, leading to a chance of flooding and disruption.”
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “The risk of thunderstorms steadily transfers northwards through Sunday afternoon and into the early evening.
“If you have plans for Sunday, I’d recommend keeping up to date with the Met Office forecast and any updates to the warnings.”
Next week, the weather is forecast to continue to be more unsettled, with spells of rain and showers in parts.
UK FIVE DAY WEATHER FORECAST
TODAY:
A cloudy day for many with sporadic outbreaks of rain pushing northwards, heavy and thundery in places. Cloudier than Saturday across Scotland and Northern Ireland with the odd shower. Feeling warm and humid in the south.
TONIGHT:
Thundery showers, or longer spells of rain continuing to move north and east across the country. Rather cloudy for all and feeling widely warm and humid, particularly in the southeast.
MONDAY:
Showers or longer spells of rain across Scotland, perhaps northeast England for a time on Monday. Turning fresher from the west as a band of rain arrives. Mostly light winds.
TUESDAY TO THURSDAY:
Remaining changeable Tuesday with a chance of showers and some longer spells of heavy rain. Turning somewhat drier through Wednesday and Thursday with sunny spells and showers.
