Thunderstorms sweep parts of Britain and downpours cause flash floods – bringing sweltering heatwave to an end
THUNDERSTORMS have battered parts of the UK as heavy downpours wash away the scorching heatwave.
It comes amid four days of weather warnings as flash flooding wreaks havoc in parts of the country.
Roads have turned into rivers and shops doused in heavy rain, with the Met Office warning of the risk of power cuts.
In Cornwall, up to three inches of rain poured down in just a few hours days after a drought was announced in parts of the country.
But the weather misery isn’t set to end there, with yellow weather warnings for rain and thunderstorms in place until Wednesday night.
Tuesday is set to see thunderstorms sweep across England, while Scotland is due to see spells of heavy rain.
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Brits have been warned to beware of flash floods, lightning and even power cuts.
Thunderstorms are expected to bring “torrential downpours” to some areas.
Spray and sudden floods could close some roads and even damage some buildings.
Brits should also bear in mind the risk of storms delaying or cancelling some train and bus services.
On Wednesday, the warning for thunderstorms will remain in place for the south of England.
Despite the drizzle, temperatures will remain in the 20s across the country – feeling far cooler than last month’s record-breaking heat.
July was the driest on record since 1935, scorching grass areas across the UK, starting wildfires and drying up our reservoirs as a result.
Unfortunately, the scorched earth leads to a greater risk of flooding because it cannot soak up the rain as usual.
Last week a very different weather warning advised vulnerable Brits to stay out of the heat as temperatures peaked at 35C.
Water companies have also issued hosepipe bans in a desperate effort to save the UK’s water supplies.
Yet the unsettled weather forecast for this week might not bring enough rain to replenish the crisp ground.
Experts fear the downpours may make little difference to the water shortage as it could be the “wrong sort of rain”.
The Environment Agency also claimed the drought could continue into next year as reservoir levels are so low amid the lengthy dry spell and record temperatures.
Met Office meteorologist said of the forthcoming storms: “It will help a little but, to be honest really, it’s almost the wrong sort of rain. What we’re likely to see is some heavy, intense downpours.
“With the ground baked so dry, it’s very difficult for the ground to actually absorb the water very quickly. So what tends to happen in these circumstances is the water runs off and we can potentially get some surface run-off issues, so some flash floods.”
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The deluge will come just days after The Sun organised a rain dance to help end weeks of dry weather. African troupe Adanta performed the special routine in central London’s Hyde Park on Friday.
Yesterday, the parched park was packed as millions nationwide made the most of the last day of the heatwave.
