THE MET Office has issued a yellow weather warning as the UK braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The intense downpour comes after Brits enjoyed balmy highs of 23C on Monday, following an intense heatwave.
AlamyYesterday Brits were basking in temperatures of 23C[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskHowever, Northern Ireland has now been hit with a yellow weather warning[/caption]
AlamyHeavy rain is expected today[/caption]
Northern Ireland has been hit with a yellow weather warning, as meteorologists warn of heavy rain from 11am onwards today.
The downpour will continue until 5pm and there is a high chance that driving conditions and train services will be affected.
There is also a risk of flooding and of some power losses across the country.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be drenched in huge downpours too just a day after Brits flocked to the beaches and basked in 29C heat.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “It’s fair to say the weather‘s changed tack a fair bit… it’s going to be a wet day for some, welcome rain in places, but also unseasonably windy.”
However, he said much of East Anglia and the Southeast will avoid much of the downpours, though not the breeze with wind gusts forecast at up to 45mph.
Mr Deakin went on to say, there were six hour rainfall “accumulations” through the night across much of the country – and up to three inches more is due to fall throughout the day.
“Over the hills we could see 75, maybe even 80mm of rain – but even at lower levels 20 to 30mm is possible,” he said.
The meteorologist continued: “It’s welcome rain for some because it has been quite a dry spring and summer, to say the least.
“It’s also been a pretty warm summer so far but today temperatures are much closer to the average and feeling quite a bit cooler.”
Met Office weather charts show highs of 22C in the south this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Thames Water said it will impose hosepipe restrictions from next Tuesday in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire.
Yorkshire Water and South East Water have already announced the measures affecting six million customers.
Sources said Southern Water — which supplies Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and East & West Sussex — is also days away from its own ban.
Up to five more regions could be in a drought by September, according to the Environment Agency.
UK 5-day weather forecast
Today:
Outbreaks of rain in the north and west this morning, followed by scattered showers this afternoon. Showers will be heavy in northern and central areas, with some thunderstorms too. Cloudy for most today and rather windy, particularly in the south.
Tonight:
Showers and strong winds will gradually fade this evening, although a few showers will continue overnight. Low cloud and drizzle will push into the southwest during the early hours.
Wednesday:
Dry and warm for many on Wednesday with sunny spells. Cloudier in southwest England and Wales with drizzle outbreaks. A few showers developing in the north in the afternoon.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Largely dry in the south and east on Thursday and Friday with very warm sunshine. Cloudier in the north and west with rain. Cooler this weekend with more widespread rain.
MET OFFICEA Met Office chart showing the spread of rain today[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
