A Month's Rain Expected In Two-Day Onslaught

Hail, thunder and heavy rainfall are forecast this week prompting severe weather warnings and fears of flooding.

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

Torrential thunderstorms, and even hail, are expected over England and Wales, as low pressure moves over from Spain.

Met Office severe weather warnings have been issued for Wales and all English regions except the North East on Thursday.

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

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

A Met Office spokesman said: "Current indications are that central and southern England and Wales are most likely to be affected.

"We may also have hail and thunder, this is most likely early on Thursday and then again Friday afternoon.

"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."

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said the thundery downpours on Thursday and Friday "will bring the risk of local flooding, with potentially large rainfall totals in a small amount of time".

Paul Watters, head of roads policy for AA, said: "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."

:: 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.