UK weather: June set to be wettest on record as Met Office forecasts further thunderstorms

Bookies have stopped taking bets that this month will set new records

A street party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday was hit by torrential downpours (REUTERS)

June is set to be the wettest ever on record, after Met Office forecasters revealed more thunderstorms are on the way throughout the rest of this week.

Bookies have stopped taking bets that this month will set new records after having to slash the odds a number of times already.

Ladbrokes were offering odds of 1/5 for June to be the wettest on record until betting was suspended last week. Paddy Power is continuing to offer odds of 9/1 for the UK to have the wettest summer on record.

The damp British weather is likely to affect a number of events, including Glastonbury, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot, which all fall within the next few weeks.

Marco Petagna, a Met Office forecaster, said: “After a dry start to June, the rest of the month does look to be unsettled.

“For this week, the weather is looking wetter and wetter with an increase in thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.”

Alison Baptiste, flood-risk duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Heavy rain showers across parts of England over the next few days could lead to some surface water flooding with disruption to roads and travel possible.

"Environment Agency teams are out working on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. Please don't drive through flood water: remember just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."

A street party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, attended by 10,000, was hit by torrential downpours last week as storm clouds gatecrashed the event in London.

Earlier in the month, flash floods struck South London, turning streets into waterways and submerging cars. Firefighters were called to Croydon, Mitcham and Wallington after thunderstorms brought heavy rain downfall that overwhelmed drains.