Thunderstorms to create more misery (From Bucks Free Press)

Thunderstorms to create more misery

6:20am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Thunderstorms and torrential downpours are forecast to cause more misery across rain-drenched parts of Britain.

Weather experts said up to 15mm of rain could fall in an hour in some places as the period of unseasonably wet weather that has brought flooding up and down the country continues.

The Environment Agency (EA) has three flood warnings - one in the South West and two in the Midlands - and 26 flood alerts in place across England, while the Met Office has issued an amber warning of rain for south-eastern areas of Scotland and yellow warnings across large swathes of southern and northern England.

A spokesman said: "The public should be prepared for the likelihood of localised flooding, particularly in the amber area."

Gemma Plumb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, warned that bursts of torrential rain could fall on already saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding.

On Wednesday she said: "Scotland and northern England will see spells of heavy, persistent rain today and there are indications that there could be some torrential, thundery outbreaks.

"Elsewhere there will be showers, which could be persistent and heavy in some areas especially across southern and easterly parts of England."

Forecasters predicted rainfall totals of around 20-30mm, but said double that amount could fall in local areas.

Ms Plumb said a further band of heavy, persistent rain will move in from the South West during Thursday, increasing the flooding threat. More showers are expected in England and Wales on Friday.

"The rain is falling on already saturated ground and river catchments are already at very high levels so further problems are to be expected," she added. Sunday could provide some respite from the rain with drier spells forecast.