Torrential rainfall expected over next 48 hours

Up to a month’s average rainfall could drench most of the country inside just 48 hours, forecasters have warned.

Torrential downpours are expected today and tomorrow with up to 5mm of rain.

The Met office said this type of weather situation had the potential to cause sudden, localised surface water flooding and hazardous travelling conditions.

“Over the next 24 hours we expect heavy rain and thunderstorms to increase in this area. This is due to increasingly warm air being drawn into the developing low pressure system

”This area of more widespread heavy, thundery rain is then expected to move northwards crossing the English Channel and into southern parts of England during the early hours of Thursday.

”These areas of heavy, thundery rain are expected to continue to spread northwards, affecting much of England and Wales at times through Thursday and into Friday. The rain may be torrential at times and there is also a risk of hail.

“On Friday the heavy rain is likely to also affect eastern parts of Scotland, although there is less risk of thunder here.”