RAC and AA warning to drivers with thunderstorm weather warning in place

The Met Office has implemented the warning for Scotland and Northern Ireland until 11.59pm on Monday and 11.59pm for all of England and Wales on Tuesday after a change in air pressure led to dramatic showers.

Power cuts and delays and cancellations in trains and buses are predicted, while spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions for motorists.

Drivers have been urged to drive carefully amid predictions of flash flooding.

Simon Williams, RAC’s road safety expert, told PA: “When roads or conditions have been so dry, flash floods are going to appear and cause a danger to drivers.

There’s a risk of aquaplaning as the water won’t drain away quite as quickly. The risk of slipping and sliding is also greater.

“Make sure you’ve got good tread on your tyres and they’re properly inflated, because the tread is the only thing that keeps you in contact with the road. Also, leave plenty of space between your car and the car in front.”

A spokesman for the AA also warned about slippery surfaces on the roads as a result of rubber build-up from tyres.

Greg Dewhurst, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said the week would start off quite humid before cooling down later on.

He told the PA news agency: “We’ll start off initially quite humid, particularly across the south and the east of the UK, with thundery showers and sunny spells, but it will gradually become cooler and fresher as the week goes on.

“First half of the week, we’re looking at some heavy downpours and thunderstorms developing.

“You can sort of see that sort of transition coming in from the north, it’s day by day.

“It’s still hot tomorrow, we’re looking at highs around 31C, possibly 32C, and then it starts to come down.

“As we head towards Tuesday, temperatures are around 26C or 27C. Wednesday Thursday will be the mid 20s.

“So probably tomorrow is the last day where we’ll see temperatures above 30C for the rest of the week.”