London weather: Met Office issues warning as 24 hours of downpours and torrential rain hits capital

London is set to be battered with 24 hours of continuous downpours and stormy weather in an abrupt end to the recent heatwave.

A yellow warning was issued by the Met Office, alerting Londoners that severe weather could hit the capital during evening rush hour and overnight.

Forecasters warned heavy showers will reach London on Tuesday afternoon, lasting throughout the night and bringing a chance of thunder.

The weather warning is set to come into force at 4pm today and will be in place until 9am on Wednesday.

It urges London to be prepared for transport disruption and the possibility of homes and businesses flooding, although the flood risk is still low.

Temperatures in the capital soared to more than 34C last Wednesday, making it the hottest June day in more than 40 years.

Ambulance calls were up 46 per cent by the last day of the five-day heatwave, which began on Saturday, June 17.

According to the Met Office, light rain is expected to fall at around 11am on Tuesday before becoming heavier from 1pm.

The likelihood of London seeing heavy downpours will rise to 90 per cent by the evening.

The heavy rain is expected to continue until around 5am on Wednesday before becoming lighter throughout the morning.

By Wednesday afternoon, the weather in London is expected to become drier.

Forecaster Emma Sharples told the Standard: “We are in a fairly changeable spell of weather, a lot more rainy.

“This afternoon there will be some brighter and drier gaps between these showers through the London area but in the evening more persistent spells of rain.

“Heavy downpours could lead to some surface water perhaps which will take us through the rush hour period and later on in the night.”

Temperatures are set to stay fairly warm and could peak at 20C or 21C today before rising slightly by the weekend, Ms Sharples said.

Part of south west London has been issued with a flood alert, warning that although the Thames river flow is low, flooding is possible.

Areas potentially affected are Putney Embankment, Chiswick Mall, Strand on the Green, Thames Bank at Mortlake, parts of Twickenham and Teddington Lock.