UK weather forecast – Thunderstorms and flash floods feared as 800-mile Atlantic storm sweeps in

BRITAIN will be battered by an 800-mile wide Atlantic storm system bringing thunderstorms and driving rain that could lead to flash floods.

Forecasters say Wednesday’s wet weather will linger for the rest of the week – as a polar plunge continues to stifle temperatures

Over an inch of rain is expected in intense showers in parts – with daily thunderstorms expected across the country.

Snow may even be seen tonight in the North on high ground, and on Thursday on north Wales’ mountains.

Gusts up to 45mph will buffet South, West and East coasts and highs will be just 11-15C.

Hail may also be seen across England and Wales this afternoon amid fears forecasters may be forced to issue a weather warning.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “Over the last few days there have been some showers but we haven’t seen a a lot of rain – but that’s going to change.

“We will see some heavy rain and brisk winds, particularly along the east coast.

“In the afternoon we will have some heavy showers moving in across England and south Wales – some of these could be heavy and possibly have some hail.

“Moving into Thursday it will be a largely chilly day for many – with some showers.

“But some sunshine will be seen in Scotland and south England.

“Temperatures will be on the chillier side over the next few days, around 16C, with some spots falling to around 6C.”

POLAR PLUNGE

It comes after disappointed Brits quit beach resorts early as Bank Holiday Monday was colder than Siberia – and verged on the coldest ever.

A 2,000-mile wide North Pole ‘polar plunge’ chill made it verge on the record for the coldest early May Bank Holiday since the holiday began 41 years ago in 1978.

There were highs of just 12C at 12 noon and -4.0C at Katesbridge, Northern Ireland, yesterday morning was close to the -5.9C record set in 2012.

It meant Britain was colder than -3C lows in Yakutsk, the world’s coldest city, in eastern Siberia – and -1C lows in Tasiilaq, Greenland.

And the UK was 15C colder than a year ago – when the early May Bank Holiday saw a record 28.7C at Northolt, London.

Met Office weather forecaster Emma Smith said: “Now the jet stream will bring low pressure across the country, with a warning likely on Wednesday night for surface water flooding in eastern Scotland.

“A big band of rain will move across the country on Wednesday, with 15-20mm widely and 30mm in the North-East of the UK.

“Thunderstorms follow the rain on Wednesday and are expected until Friday, with the Midlands and South most affected and the North at risk on Friday.”

Met Office

PA:Press Association

Waves crash over the sea wall at Tynemouth in the North East of England yesterday[/caption]

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