Flood Risk As Torrential Storms Bear Down On UK

Torrential rain and thunderstorms are sweeping across the UK, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in a two-day onslaught.

Forecasters predict that between 30 and 50mm of rain could fall today and Friday - the average for the whole month of August.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for Wales and all English regions except the North East today.

Central and southern areas of the UK will be worst hit, the Met Office said, with warm air moving in from the south expected to make it feel very humid.

Severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales and all English regions on Friday.

Sky News weather producer Chris England said the severe conditions over the next two days carry "a risk of localised flooding".

A Met Office spokesman said: "As we have already seen this summer, this type of weather situation has the potential to cause sudden, localised surface water flooding and hazardous travelling conditions."

Paul Watters, head of roads policy for AA, warned: "Flash flooding in the summer can be hit-and-miss but potentially dangerous for anyone caught up in it.

"The AA advises drivers to keep an ear out for local weather warnings and traffic news, and be prepared to encounter flooding."

The weather system is expected to clear to the east during Saturday, replaced with drier, fresher weather, with some sunshine.

:: Going camping this weekend and worried about a washout? Then watch this week’s Swipe programme which is a camping technology special.

Swipe is on Sky News on Friday at 9.30pm, Saturday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 8.30pm and available online.