Summer sunshine may give way to gloom as forecasters predict storms ahead

Forecasters have revealed that much of the country will experience bouts of heavy rain, showers and sunshine in the coming days, while the longer outlook for the summer holidays is unclear.

The Met Office is issuing a yellow weather warning for the South East today, with heavy rain expected from 1am until 7pm.

Forecaster Helen Waite said “thunder and intense downpours” were likely while the maximum temperature would be around 24C (75F).

The North of England is likely to be drier with sunny spells, but the conditions will then swap around tomorrow, with the South enjoying better weather.

Unsettled conditions are likely to envelop most of the country by the end of the week and continue into the weekend.

In Yorkshire, the Met Office has said that today will be mainly dry with warm sunny spells in light winds, with the best of the sunshine around the coast during the afternoon.

There is the chance of the odd isolated shower developing later, and a maximum temperature of 22C.

Ms Waite said: “It’s not going to be as hot as it has been. There’s a chance there will be a build-up of high pressure which will lead to unsettled conditions but there are no strong signals beyond that.”

July has been hot and humid, with a heatwave hitting much of the country in recent days. On Friday sudden storms hit the great summer holiday getaway with lightning strikes leading to rail passengers encountering delays and cancellations on busy commuter routes.

The soaring temperatures have also led to a spate of deaths in lakes and rivers, with police and other emergency services urging people to be aware of the hazards of attempting to swim in open water.