Flash Floods Warning As Thunderstorms Hit UK

The sweltering heat of the hottest day of the year so far has been replaced with severe thunderstorms in parts of the UK.

Temperatures peaked at 33.5C (92.3F) at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Tuesday afternoon.

However, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for Wednesday across all regions other than southwest England, London and southeast England.

In the Western Isles, 31mm of rain fell in an intense burst.

The Met Office warned some places could see more than 50mm in a few hours.

It said the risk of localised heavy downpours, frequent lightning, hail and gusty winds could lead to some flooding of homes, businesses and transport systems - as well as power outages.

People enjoying the warm weather on the beach in Torquay, Devon, on Tuesday

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "There will be a sunny, warm and dry start over central, southern and eastern parts of England this morning.

"But elsewhere it will be cloudy with intense thundery rain across eastern Ireland, northwest Wales, northern England and parts of Scotland.

"The thunderstorms will continue to push north-eastwards through this afternoon, clearing from most of Ireland and Wales by midday.

"However, torrential downpours, bringing large hail, gusty winds, high rainfall totals and frequent lightning are still likely over northern England and Scotland through the early part of this afternoon."

She said temperatures are still expected to remain high across the country, peaking at 31C (88F).

The heatwave is feared to have cost the lives of several people.

A 16-year-old boy died while playing with friends in the River Etherow near Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

Staffordshire Police issued a warning to people to stay safe in the hot weather after a 46-year-old man died after jumping into a canal in Burton-on-Trent on Monday night.

A soldier died while training in Brecon in Wales on Tuesday. However, the cause of his death is yet to be determined.

A body was recovered from Lammas Lake in Wraysbury, Surrey, on Tuesday evening after police received reports of concern for the safety of a man in the water. However, it is uncertain if his death was related to the weather.