Met Office thunderstorm warnings cover all four home nations as bank holiday hit by 40mm deluge
Dozens of homes in Birmingham and beyond sustained flood damage as a record-breaking summer of five heatwaves gave way to lightning, torrential rain and widespread disruption.A festival-goer is rescued from the mud at Reading, where heavy, thundery showers are forecast to push into the site by Sunday evening.
Yellow thunderstorm warnings have been posted by the Met Office for all four home nations — England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — with rainfall totals of up to 40mm possible within a matter of hours on bank holiday Sunday. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk urged Britons to keep 'that umbrella at hand' as heavy downpours, frequent lightning, hail and gusts of up to 45mph move across most of the country. Crowds at Notting Hill Carnival's 60th anniversary parade and Reading and Leeds Festival weathered the conditions in ponchos. Drier, brighter weather is forecast for most areas on Monday.
The yellow warnings spare only south-east England and northern Scotland, and flooding poses a risk to some homes and businesses.
Family day at Notting Hill Carnival still drew large numbers despite the rain, with marchers carrying flags to mark the event's 60th anniversary.
The weekend deluge comes after weeks of record-breaking summer heat, during which England received just 34% of its expected August rainfall.
