WEATHER experts are warning that this summer's "worst week of weather" is just around the corner - and will bring an exceptional amount of rainfall.
While the UK has enjoyed a glorious heatwave in recent weeks, stormy conditions have begun to set in.
22
Big macs and tides ... parents and children head to the beach in waterproof jackets in Lyme RegisCredit: Alamy
Kids and parents wrap up for the beach as the school hols get off to a soggy start.
The family took a seaside dip yesterday in dank Lyme Regis, Dorset.
Shoppers needed brollies in London. And cars were lashed by rain in jams on the M25 in Kent.
The washout continues today — before the sun shines early next week.
Temperatures will head up to 24C (75C) in the South. The Met Office said: “By Monday the weather will be drier, brighter and warmer.
“UV levels are still high so Brits need brollies and their sunscreen too.”
22
Giant waves swamp people and an ice cream van on the promenade in Sunderland as they wait for a display at the Sunderland AirshowCredit: PA:Press Association
22
Summer shelter ... umbrellas were up in London as the rain came downCredit: Rex Features
22
The slow rain ... the weather caused delays on the M25 at Dartford, KentCredit: London News Pictures
22
The north has seen horrific conditions throughout todayCredit: PA:Press Association
22
Cyclists ride through the flood waters at high tide at Keyhaven Marshes in The New Forest this morningCredit: Rex Features
22
Tourists use umbrellas to shelter from the rain as inclement weather hits central London this afternoonCredit: Getty Images
22
Heavy rain showers in central LondonCredit: Rex Features
22
Women cover from the rain as inclement weather hits central London todayCredit: Getty Images
22
The great summer holiday weekend getaway has got off to a slow, damp start this morning on the M25 in KentCredit: London News Pictures
22
Drivers have been braving poor conditions as their holidays get underwayCredit: London News Pictures
22
Visitors with ice creams at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset on a morning of sunshine and showersCredit: Alamy
22
Visitors walking along the seafront with umbrellas up as a shower passes over at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in DorsetCredit: Alamy
22
This morning's gloomy weather is in stark contrast to the heatwave Britain experienced recentlyCredit: Alamy
22
Crabbers take shelter under an umbrella today as the rain starts again at Hurst Cut in HampshireCredit: Rex Features
22
A woman takes a photograph of her dog as they wade through flood waters at high tide at Keyhaven MarshesCredit: Rex Features
22
A speed boat races passed The Needles on the Isle of Wight under dark rain clouds todayCredit: Rex Features
22
The scene on the A6006, near Melton Mowbray, Leics, after a tractor and trailer overturned sending four tonnes of MANURE across the road yesterdayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Conditions are now expected to remain unsettled until the end of July before rainfall increases even further in August.
A Met Office forecast for late July and early August reads: "The rain will be heavy at times, particularly in the northwest and here there is also the chance of gales at times too.
"In between there will be some drier and brighter spells, however there will be also be a scattering of heavy showers, again these most frequent and heaviest in the northwest.
"The chance of any longer drier and more settled spells is limited and only the southeast of the country is likely to be drier overall.
"On the whole temperatures will be close to or slightly below normal for the time of year, with the coolest temperatures likely in the west."
Temperatures will be between 22C and 24C next week, before cooling as August begins.
22
Tourists in Windsor wearing ponchos to shelter from the rain this afternoonCredit: Rex Features
22
A typical British summer's day was to be had in Windsor after weeks of scorching heatCredit: Rex Features
22
Brits are fleeing the rain however they can this weekendCredit: Rex Features
22
Tourists huddle under an umbrella in Windsor on a day of sightseeingCredit: Rex Features
And bookies have slashed odds on July being the wettest ever, from 10/1 last week to 5/1 this morning.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Without trying to rain on anyone's parade, we've had to trim odds of this summer being an especially wet one - with no sign of an improvement in temperatures forecast any time soon."
Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell added: "The wet, windy and showery weather is the opposite of the dry conditions we’ve been used to recently.
"Temperatures are distinctly average for the start of school holidays.
