Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected for the north of England and parts of Scotland during summer storms as the nation nears the end of a heatwave.
The Met Office has issued a weather alert covering most of the country until Thursday evening, although southern parts of the country are expected to enjoy finer weather after some heavy rain on Monday.
Forecasters say an area of downpours and thunderstorms is expected to move north across parts of Scotland early on Tuesday, with scattered storms expected for other parts and very hot weather expected for the south-east.
Following Monday’s rainfall, the Environment Agency has issued four warnings for expected flooding in the north-west – two at Lancaster and two at Ulverston.
Five flood alerts – warning of possible flooding – are in place for Birmingham and surrounding districts.
Further flood alerts have been issued for 19 locations in Scotland, with one also current for the Vyrnwy catchment area in Wales.
Parts of Aberystwyth have already been hit by flash flooding leaving pavements and roads underwater, with water pouring into shops and business owners sweeping rain water out of their premises.
More heavy showers and thunderstorms are predicted for the north of England tonight, in what will be a warm night for most parts of the nation.
London is expected to record a top temperature of 33C during Tuesday afternoon with 30C reached in Birmingham. The heat is expected to continue through Wednesday in the south before it eventually breaks down.
Chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: "A second yellow thunderstorm warning is also in place for parts of North West England, North Wales and West Midlands where the worst of the storms are likely to occur.
"Here exceptional rainfall totals could be seen of 60mm in an hour with a very small chance of 150mm of rainfall in three or four hours."
UK five-day forecast
Today:
An area of heavy rain and thunderstorms moving north across parts of Scotland this morning. Otherwise, sunny spells for most areas, and although a lot of places will remain dry, scattered thunderstorms again developing. Very hot again in the south-east.
Tonight:
A warm night in prospect for most areas, especially southern UK. Some heavy showers and thunderstorms in the north, whilst becoming mostly dry in the south.
Wednesday:
Sunny spells for most areas, and although some places will remain dry, scattered thunderstorms again developing. Very hot in the south.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Increasingly cloudy across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, warm (south-east UK locally hot Thursday), and humid with areas of rain and thunderstorms developing. Scotland mostly dry, bright, with average temperatures.
