More thunderstorms set to batter UK as 80mm of rain predicted

27 July 2021, 18:35 | Updated: 27 July 2021, 22:48

The UK will see more heavy rain over the coming days. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

More thunderstorms are set to batter the UK later this week with as much as 80mm of rain forecast in some areas.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for much of Wales and northern England, and an amber weather warning for Scotland.

"Yellow warnings are in place across much of the UK, away from the south, for thunderstorms and heavy rain over the coming days,” said Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington.

"Scotland, however, is expected to see some of the heaviest rain and amber warnings for thunderstorms and also rain have been issued here."

A total of 15 flood alerts have been announced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, for areas including Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Angus, Fife and West Central Scotland.

Stephen Dixon, a spokesperson from the Met Office, said there was an amber weather warning in place from 6am on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday in Inverness.

He said: "The rain can cause potential flooding and travel disruption.

"There is the potential for 80-100mm over 24 hours, but more likely 60mm more widely across that amber area.

"There can possibly be lightning and hail in areas of Scotland."

Whilst sunny spells could break through the gloom, 20-30mm of rain is possible over Tuesday and Wednesday in England and Wales, the Met Office said.

Mr Willington added: "Not everywhere within the warning areas will see heavy rain, rainfall amounts will vary from place to place.

"The rainfall could lead to some surface water flooding and disruption before it eases and moves south through Thursday."

Over the past few weeks, rain has battered the UK, particularly in London where areas including Walthamstow, Woodford and Stepney Green have seen flooding.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced on Tuesday that following a meeting with the Environment Agency, London's boroughs and other key partners, he will be doing all that he can to tackle flooding and climate change.

He said: "Through the new London Plan, we're now reducing the risk of surface water flooding with every new development, but whether it's prioritising more green spaces to help absorb excess water or investing more in upgrading our drainage and sewer infrastructure, dealing with the impacts of climate change is something that cannot wait a day longer."

On the roads, the RAC and Highways England have advised drivers to be cautious in the rain.

They warned motorists to leave a larger gap than normal between the car in front of them when stopping.