BRITS are set to be battered by storms and heavy rain – as the Met Office issues 31 flood alerts.
The nation is being warned to brace for thunder and lightning in just hours with thick black clouds creeping in on Wednesday.
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Commuters can expect grey conditions and patchy rain this morning in parts, say the weather service.
Temperatures aren’t predicted to exceed 20C in the south – feeling slightly chilly with wind gusts of up to 20mph.
In the north of England, conditions are set to reach around 17C before heavy downpours hit.
“Heavy showers” along with mist and fog will remain for the majority of the morning.
Heading into the afternoon, the sun is predicted to break through in parts, but many are at risk of thunder.
Manchester is forecast to be battered with thunderstorms around 4pm this afternoon.
Across the country, 31 flood alerts are currently active.
Kent, Newmarket, south east London, Alton, Shefford and High Wycombe are just some areas set to be affected.
Met Office Meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “We run into this weather front across northern England, eastern counties, with some rain just waxing and waning.
“Across the far southwest these showers circulating around an area of low pressure, yes again it’s a breezy day here but the wind is down a notch on yesterday.
“Now to the south of this weather front, we’ll see some showers develop [in] northern parts of Wales [and the] Midlands as well.
“And those showers will continue further southwest.
“Along the east coast it’s a bit cooler temperature wise with that cloud and patchy rain.
“That rain will continue off and on through Wednesday evening and overnight as the cloud extends up the country.”
As we look towards next week, thunderstorms will move further down the country with the “greatest risk expected across southern parts”.
UK long range forecast
THE weather forecast for Sunday, May 19 – Tuesday, May 28, according to the Met Office.
The weather will be changeable, with daytime showers continuing across the UK on Sunday and possibly Monday.
The heaviest showers and greatest risk of thunderstorms is expected across southern parts, while northern areas are more likely to see drier, more settled conditions developing for a time.
Temperatures will be generally around or just a little above average. With winds tending to be light, it will feel warm in sunnier areas.
As we head further into the following week, confidence lowers into the following week.
On balance, a continuation of the showers in the south seems most likely, with the north continuing to see the best of any drier weather.
Temperatures will probably remain a little above average.
