Flooding is expected across parts of England after nearly half a month’s worth of rain fell in just one hour as thunder and lightning moved in over the weekend.
Most of the country was covered by Met Office warnings for either rain or thunderstorms until the end of Sunday.
Between 6pm and 7pm, 35.6mm of rain fell in Woodhouse Mill, near Sheffield, the Met Office said. In June, the entire UK averages 12 days of rain, totalling 77mm.
In northern England and Scotland, a yellow heavy rain warning is in place from 7pm on Sunday until noon on Monday.
Six flood warnings were in place across parts of northern England by 8pm on Sunday, after heavy rain swept in during earlier on in the day.
The Met Office predicts that by Monday the heavy rain in Scotland will begin to slowly clear northwards, while low clouds further south will also start to burn off.
Sunshine and showers will be on the cards for most, with the risk of thundery conditions and temperatures remaining warm; highs of 25 could be experienced in the northeast of England.
The unique conditions have been caused by moist and warm air from the Atlantic sweeping across the country, making the heat feel much more humid and causing storm clouds to gather.
Health officials have also issued a rare 'Thunderasthma' warning.
The UK's Health Security Agency said those with asthma should be aware of the negative impact violent electrical storm activity can have on their condition.
Sunday brought a deluge of rain showers across much of the country, leading to travel chaos and delays striking road and rail.
Marco Petagna, a forecaster for the Met Office, told the PA news agency: “Half a month’s of rain has fallen in one hour in one location, in quite a few spots we’re seeing 15-20mm, even 30mm in an hour.
“There’s been quite a few storms embedded within that area of northern England, Northern Ireland and one or two in parts of Wales.
“It’s pretty torrential, 25 to 35mm in an hour is certainly going to cause some flooding problems, and there’s still potentially bad conditions to come.”
Play was halted in the first Ashes test at Edgbaston due to the wet weather.
A yellow thunderstorm warning almost entirely covered England and Wales between noon and midnight on Sunday.
It warned of heavy showers, the potential for frequent lightning, strong winds and hail – which could cause flooding, travel issues and power cuts.
There are generally moderate or high UV levels across the UK, despite there being more cloud, while grass and nettle pollen is also very strong, the Met Office said.
Temperatures reached the low twenties – despite the UK being in an area of low pressure.
Met Office Five-Day Forecast
Monday:
Heavy rain in Scotland will gradually clearing northwards. Any low cloud further south clearing to leave another day of sunshine and showers, perhaps turning thundery at times. Feeling humid.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
A mix of very warm sunshine and scattered showers, these perhaps thundery, particularly in the northwest. Becoming drier in the south east, but still warm and often feeling humid.
