Soaking in the BATH! Shoppers duck for cover as the heavens open over famous Roman city – while Britain braces for ‘severe’ storms and deluge into next week
- The Met Office have put in place a yellow thunderstorm warning for much of the South and the South West
- Some parts of the UK could even get up to 20mm of rain in just an hour and 30-40mm over a few hours
- Temperatures could reach 77F (25C) in the east of the country this afternoon and it will remain very humid
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Britain is being battered by thunderstorms and torrential rain today as the country faces a 77F (25C) muggy heat.
The Met Office have put in place a yellow thunderstorm warning for much of the South and the South West with serious disruption expected across the regions.
Despite a sunny start to the day, heavy rain is predicted into the afternoon and further showers will continue into the evening, especially in the west.
Some parts of the UK could even get 20mm of rain in just an hour and 30-40mm over a few hours. There are currently five flood alerts in place in the West Midlands.
The Roman city of Bath experienced torrential downpours this afternoon as shoppers in the city centre ducked for cover from the showers.
Britain is being battered by thunderstorms and torrential rain today. Pictured: shoppers wearing face masks in Bath brave a torrential downpour this afternoon
The Met Office have put in place a yellow thunderstorm warning for much of the South and the South West with serious disruption expected across the regions. Pictured: a woman runs for cover in Bath during a rain storm
Roads in Bath appeared flooded this afternoon as cars made their way through the water following heavy and thundery showers
The abrupt end to the UK’s short-lived heatwave comes just days after hundreds of sun-seekers flocked to Bournemouth, Dorset and Cornwall to enjoy sizzling temperatures of 77F (25C) as the official school holidays began.
A Met office spokesman said: ‘There will be some periods of heavy rain, especially towards mid to late afternoon across the south coast.
‘So there is a feature moving up the English channel that will bring some heavier rain to the south coast with places like Eastbourne and Brighton getting to see some heavier showers.’
Today’s temperatures will be a lot cooler than the 37.8C reached on this day last year – the highest ever temperature recorded in the UK. The mercury is expected to hit 77F (25C) in the east this afternoon.
Some parts of the UK could even get 20mm of rain in just an hour and 30-40mm over a few hours. Pictured: shoppers in Bath embrace the rain
Heavy rain disrupts pubs and restaurants during lockdown recovery in Battersea, south London today
Despite a sunny start to the day, heavy rain is predicted into the afternoon and further showers will continue into the evening, especially in the west. Pictured is a shower in Battersea, south London today
Roads in Bath were flooded this afternoon as cars made their way through the water following heavy and thundery showers
On Saturday, the band of clouds will being some heavier rain to the south coast (left) and by Sunday there will be sunny spells (right)
A woman holds a colourful umbrella on Northcote Road in Battersea, south London this afternoon to protect herself from the heavy rain
There are currently five flood alerts in place in the West Midlands. Pictured: a woman in Battersea, London, protects herself from the rain
Heavy downpours caused disruption to people’s pub plans this evening in London
Britain is being battered by thunderstorms and torrential rain today. Pictured: a couple shelter from a storm using an umbrella in Battersea
Conditions seemed a bit brighter along the Thames Path in Oxford today as the country experiences a muggy heat of 25C in some areas
People enjoy punting and boating on The River Cherwell in Oxford today as temperatures remain warm but very humid across the UK
Despite the torrential downpours seen in some southern parts of the country today, in Oxford many were seen out and about enjoying the warm temperatures
On Sunday there will be some more persistent rain towards the North West of Scotland and it will be a little cooler than today with highs of 23 to 24C.
Forecasters are predicting a changeable start to the school holidays with unsettled conditions continuing through to at least the first week of August.
The Met Office’s forecast for the rest of the coming week states: ‘The unsettled theme seems likely to continue with scattered showers and strong winds interspersed with sunny spells across much of the country.’
Further rain and strong winds are expected at the beginning of August, with the ‘best of any drier weather’ in the South.
‘It is generally likely to be on the cool side for much of the country with any warmer spells more likely across south-eastern parts,’ the Met Office adds.