Brollies out as weather goes mad

Sudden rainfall has had people running for cover across the country

After sweltering heat, much of the UK is suffering heavy rain as the weather continues to fluctuate.

The downpours come after Sunday saw record overnight temperatures of up to 21.9C in Marham, Norfolk.

Dozens of flood warnings are in force, with another 50,000 tonnes of raw sewage forced into the Thames.

Much of the worst of the rain will be in southern and central Scotland and northern England, with an easing overnight and returning on Wednesday.

Meteorologists say the current hot, wet weather is the remains of Hurricane Alex, which hit the US last week.

BBC forecaster Helen Willetts said: "When you get heat like [Sunday], you generally get a lot of moisture with it."

She said the rain would ease overnight, returning on Wednesday with rain continuing through the week.

The Environment Agency has more than 50 flood warnings in place, and in some areas more than four inches of rain has fallen, causing major disruption.

Following last Tuesday's discharge of more than 600,000 tonnes of untreated sewage into the Thames, another 50,000 tonnes has been discharged into the river.

The latest incident was further downstream near Battersea Park, in London, while the Isleworth area was also affected again. Last week's spill killed tens of thousands of fish.

Cloud blanket

But on Sunday, five other places equalled or bettered their records for their hottest night, including Weybourne in Norfolk.

And Aviemore in the north of Scotland reached its all-time record maximum overnight temperature at 19.5C (67.1F).

It was overall the warmest weekend of the year, with the stifling heat and humidity of the day trapped beneath a blanket of clouds, but the rain returned full pelt on Monday.

Parts of Scotland have been the heaviest hit in the storms

The downpours contrast with the baking temperatures on this day last year, when Gravesend in Kent roasted in a record-breaking 38.1C (100.6f).

The Environment Agency has warned that, unless emissions are reduced, Britain's summer weather would get worse with global warming.

Meanwhile, Green Flag Motoring Assistance has reported receiving a surge in calls for help from motorists caught out by the downpours.

Spokesman Nigel Charlesworth said: "Reduced visibility and cars aqua-planing on surface water are increasing calls for help or recovery.

"For many the option of not driving is not available, but for others we advise that, if rain is heavy or torrential, make other arrangements."