UK weather forecast: Severe storm warning as downpour threatens power cuts and transport delays

Parts of the UK experienced almost a month’s worth of rain across the last two days - with more predicted to follow

Lightning and hail will sweep across the UK throughout the afternoon and evening with the potential to cause more transport delays and flooding after days of temperamental weather, the Met Office has warned.

Officials said some businesses and homes would probably be flooded as up to 20mm of rain falls in the space of an hour across the affected area, with as much as 40mm falling across some regions in a three-hour period.

The UK’s average rainfall for the whole month of August is currently 90mm.

The yellow warning stretches from the south west of England to the uppermost parts of East Anglia covering Birmingham, Norwich and Cardiff, and is scheduled to continue into the evening.

The band of disruptive weather follows two days of weather and infrastructure issues that have caused havoc for travellers across the nation, with some areas experiencing almost a month’s worth of rainfall in just two days.

The Met Office has said to expect possible delays to train services and short term loss of power, as well as adverse driving conditions and potential damage to buildings.

Yesterday multiple cross-Channel ferries were left stranded outside the port of Dover as they were towed one at a time into port while passengers complained of five-hour delays.

Meanwhile on land passengers were trapped on board five trains in Scotland as flooding led to the temporary closure of the west coast train line.

The Caledonian Sleeper, which travels from London Euston to Fort William, is not expected to run between Edinburgh and its final destination until 22 August due to lasting damage caused by the flood.

Other lines, including routes into Birmingham, Swindon and Derby, were disrupted by the heavy winds as fallen trees blocked rail services.

It comes after a power cut left almost a million people without electricity as traffic lights were knocked out, trains came to a standstill and aircraft were grounded during rush hour.