Here comes the rain as sunny spell ends

THE heatwave came to an abrupt end in southern England yesterday as sunny weather retreated northwards and heavy downpours threatened to cross from the Continent.

Forecasters had warned torrential rain, thunder and high winds which have battered western France were heading towards Britain with thunderstorms predicted in some parts.

Weather forecaster Michael Dukes said Cornwall was the wettest part of Britain yesterday with one inch of rain. He added: “Scattered thunderstorms are likely. We could get some torrential downpours in the next 24 to 36 hours. The thunderstorms could be anywhere in England and Wales but they will be localised. The storms could hit anywhere along the south coast, with East Sussex and Kent seeing the early bad weather.”

South west England and south Wales were also likely to see high rainfall, and thunderstorms were also possible in the London area.

Wind speeds were not likely to get much above 30mph in the storms.

Parts of the midlands saw the hottest weather yesterday, with temperatures reaching 30C-31C (86F-88F).

Scotland will retain the sunshine for longest and the unsettled conditions in England and Wales are expected to give way to better weather at the weekend.