UK weather: Met Office warns of ‘heavy downpours’ as 14 HOURS of rain sparks flood alerts – but mercury set to hit 19C
THE MET Office has warned of “heavy downpours” as 14 hours of rain sparks flood alerts.
Brits are braced for a soggy Monday with gloomy skies after a sun-kissed bank holiday.
Londoners are particularly in for a long haul facing heavy downpour for a whopping 14 hours – from 8am through midnight.
The capital will barely warm up to a chilly 15C with gloomy skies and brief sunshine.
Commuters can expect rumble of thunder as the day progresses.
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: “It’s going to be a bit of wet picture for London tomorrow especially south London and then into Kent and Sussex.
“If you are an early bird you might get some brightness first thing tomorrow morning but don’t be deceived the rain will be on its way.
“It will probably have set in by lunchtime and unfortunately it will then remain on-and-off right throughout the afternoon.
“On the whole, it’s not the best of bank holiday Monday. It will be fairly wet and some of that rain will be quite heavy.”
Although there are no Met Office weather warnings in place today, the Environment Agency has issued 40 flood alerts in in the South East.
But it’s not all doom and gloom across the UK.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said the bank holiday will see a mixed bag of weather.
He explained: “Overall, it will be a mix of sunny spells and showers across the country.
“Anywhere could catch some rain so people should be prepared for that.
“For people looking to get away, there will be some sunshine and warm spells. And if you manage to avoid showers, then it will be nice in the sun.”
Parts of East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are gearing up for the hottest spots on the map – with temperatures predicted to reach 21C.
Forecasters said people living in northern areas will wake up to cloudy skies that might clear up briefly before dousing picnic plans with heavy showers.
Meanwhile, southern areas are set for a bit of morning sunshine before thunderstorms hit later in the day.
As the week progresses, Brits can expect a high pressure expected to bring drier days.
Tuesday will see a smattering of showers with temperatures rising to 20C.
But Wednesday and Thursday promise more stable conditions and warmth – with temperatures reaching up to 21C.
It comes as last weekend saw Brits flocking to beaches to soak up the first sign of sun in weeks.
Beaches like Brighton were packed with people who wanted to get near the sea while the temperatures were warm.
And it was all blue skies in Sheerness, Kent for the Blaze class sailing dinghy Eastern Championships event hosted by Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club.
The Met Office said highs of 20C are expected compared to the 17C average for this time of year, but where cloud persists 14C to 15C is more likely.
Met Office's five-day forecast
Today:
Often rather cloudy in the north with some showery rain, heaviest across Scotland. Outbreaks of rain also affecting parts of southwest England and Wales. Warm sunshine and isolated showers elsewhere.
Tonight:
Cloudy in the north with outbreaks of rain and heavy showers later. Showers fading in the south, although staying damp in the southwest. Mist and fog under any clear spells.
Monday:
A rather cloudy start in the north with some brighter spells and heavy showers developing. Sunny spells further south with heavy showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Showers fewer in number and less heavy on Tuesday. Staying mostly fine and warm through the middle of the week, though some rain far northwest at times.