UK weather: Met Office issues severe warnings as heavy rain looms

Lightning and local flooding is expected across the UK

(Getty )

Severe weather warnings have been issued across the UK as the country prepares to be battered by heavy rain.

Wales, north-west England, Yorkshire, the Midlands and the East of England are all set to suffer downpours on Tuesday.

In some areas the rainfall will bring the risk of flooding.

The Met Office warning said some of the showers will become thundery, leading to slow-moving systems with downpours.

The yellow weather warning said: “Some locations will miss these but where they do occur, please be aware of possible localised flooding and disruption to travel. Lightning could be an additional hazard.”

The chief forecaster said: “As with most recent days, temperatures will rise, triggering some heavy downpours. These may locally produce 15mm to 25mm of rainfall in an hour, bringing the risk of flooding, especially if affecting urban areas.”

The bad weather is expected to continue on Wednesday when there will be more scattered heavy thundery showers and as much as 25mm of rain in an hour, leading to possible flooding in urban areas.

The yellow weather warning for Wednesday has been extended to the South West and London and the South East.

Only the far north of Scotland will escape the rain, with sunny spells.

Forecaster Steven Keats said: “The area of low pressure responsible is not moving very fast so it will be similar weather all week.

“Drivers should be aware that there will be some quite tricky driving conditions about. There will be lots of spray and some flooding. As always, if you cannot see the road surface, do not drive through it.”

Press Association