UK weather: Flood warnings issued by Met Office as heatwave comes to an end

Thunder, hail and rain storms to batter west of the country on Sunday - then the east on Monday

After a summer of hosepipe bans and scorching temperatures in the UK, the Met Office has issued its latest weather warning – for floods.

The yellow alert was put in place on Sunday for between midday and 10pm with heavy rain, hail and thunder forecast to batter Wales and western regions.

A second warning has also been issued for Monday for the east of the country between 11am and 10pm.

"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings," said Luke Miall, forecaster with the Met Office.

He added that driving conditions would be difficult while power may be cut to some homes and businesses.

“It’s a stark contrast to what we have been seeing for the rest of the summer. As Sunday afternoon and evening approaches, we are expecting intense thunderstorms with downpours and hail, which could lead to flash flooding on some roads in the south west, Wales and the north west,” said Mr Miall.

The stormy weather will then move to the east of the country for Monday with all the same associated risks, he added.

Already three inches of rain has fallen in some parts of western and central England in the early hours of Sunday - though temperatures have remained in the low 20s, creating a muggy feeling.

And the showers will continue across the UK for the rest of the week. "Generally speaking, there will be less chance of rain in the south and the Midlands, which will experience some sunny periods, but, overall, the weather will be far more changeable with spells of rain and wind pushing through right into next weekend," said Mr Miall.

But for those who have enjoyed the heatwave, all is not quite lost just yet.

The warm weather is likely to return towards the end of the month with a warmer than average September and October both predicted in the long range forecast.