MONSOON BRITAIN: UK drenched by torrential rain as forecasters warn of flash flooding
BRITAIN has been battered by thunderstorms and torrential rain as the country continues to drenched in the wettest June on record.
Racegoers at Royal Ascot ran for cover as torrential rain drenched parts of the UK
Thundery downpours have soaked parts of the UK and forecasters have warned of flash flooding.
Severe weather warnings have been issued across the country as lightning strikes and thunderstorms were recorded in Wales, north London and south east England.
The Environment Agency has issued a dozen flood alerts and West Midlands Fire Service also issued warnings about the conditions as they responded to multiple flash floods.
Flooding closed the Bullring Indoor Market in Birmingham and people were seen making makeshift umbrellas out of bags and newspapers as rain lashed the city.
The Mailbox and Grand Central Station also experienced flooding and sections of the Bullring Shopping Centre were closed off.
Parts of the M5 were closed due to flooding and in Dublin trams were seen making their way through rising floodwater as entire streets turned to rivers.
Will it be a washout summer? Yes, says weather expert on This Morning
As with most recent days, temperatures will rise, triggering some heavy downpours
Racegoers grabbed onto their hats at Ascot and were forced to run for cover as they celebrated the first day of Royal Ascot.
The Met Office said a slow-moving area of low pressure, mixed with the rising temperatures, was causing the "unstable" weather.
Alex Burkilll, a forecaster, said: "Already we've had thunder and lightning over parts of Wales, north London and parts of Essex.
Women at Ascot ran under umbrellas to escape the rain
One gentlemen helped women across the puddles as rain lashed Ascot
Female racegoers were helped by this gentleman
The deluge did not stop the races
“I would be very surprised if we did not have more thundery activity over the bulk of the rest of the country.
"What we have is the low pressure tracking eastwards across the UK making things unsettled and unstable.
"The warm temperatures are causing the air to rise, allowing large clouds to form and so the warmth is linked to the fact that it is unsettled."
In Birmingham one man tried to stay dry under a pink umbrella
Flash floods slowed motorists down in Birmingham
People used whatever they could to shelter from the rain in Birmingham
A woman uses a plastic bag as rain lashes Birmingham city centre
The yellow weather warning said: "Heavy showers will break out today, leading to some prolonged downpours.
"Some locations will miss these but where they do occur, please be aware of possible localised flooding and disruption to travel.
"Lightning could be an additional hazard."
Yikes, a bit damp in these parts! pic.twitter.com/D534UySiiV
— Ciarán Cuffe (@CiaranCuffe) June 14, 2016
Trams in Dublin made waves through rising floodwater
But despite the downpour, temperatures are expected to rise triggering even more heavy rainfall.
The chief forecaster said: "As with most recent days, temperatures will rise, triggering some heavy downpours.
"These may locally produce 15mm to 25mm of rainfall in an hour, bringing the risk of flooding, especially if affecting urban areas."