UK weather latest: Heavy rain and gusts of up to 50mph batter Britain

Yellow warnings for wind and rain in place over the weekend

After weeks of high temperatures and dry spells, heavy rain and gusts of up to 50mph have hit the UK.

A deluge of rainfall and a dramatic drop in temperatures brought an end to the summer heatwave for many as more than a month's worth of rain fell at Belfast International Airport, with the torrential downpours causing flooding and traffic disruption across the UK.

Camp Bestival in Dorset was forced to cancel after poor weather conditions and winds of up to 50mph are forecast for exposed coasts and hills with as much as 80mm of rain possible in the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor, the Met Office said.

A yellow weather warning for rain was in place for western parts of Scotland on Saturday, while a warning for wind and rain covers Wales and the south of England on Sunday.

Flooding is possible and large waves are likely in coastal areas, the forecaster added, warning of potential damage to tents and other temporary structures.

Saturday was the first day this month that nowhere in the UK reached at least 25C, the forecaster added, marking a 10-degree drop from Thursday which saw the hottest day of the year so far.

Cavendish in Suffolk and Weybourne in Norfolk enjoyed Saturday's UK high of 24C.

As thunderstorms brought the first significant rainfall for weeks to the UK, Belfast International Airport saw 88.2mm in just a few hours – above the July average for the entire region, which sits at 81.2mm.

Meteorologist Sarah Kent said that, unlike thunderstorms in many other parts of the UK, those in Northern Ireland came as a result of low pressure, rather than directly relating to the recent heatwave.

Short Ferry in Lincolnshire had 41.8mm of rainfall in one hour on Friday, nearing the county's monthly July average of 55.8mm.

Heavy, thundery showers will continue as changeable weather replaces the hot spell much of the UK has endured for weeks.

"It's a very unsettled weather picture across the whole of the UK," said meteorologist Sarah Kent.

She said campers especially should take heed of the windy weather.

She said: "The warning is in place particularly for holidaymakers who are out camping or towing their caravans, they are going to see some very strong gusts."

Sunday's highs are expected to remain much nearer normal for the time of year, with the south of England likely to see the mercury struggle to climb higher than the low 20s in southern England.

While some will have welcomed the rain and the cooler temperatures, those keen to catch a glimpse of the blood moon, the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century, on Friday were disappointed by cloud cover.

Holidaymakers were beset by delays and cancellations due to the extreme weather on Saturday.

A number of flights were affected, and travellers suffered long delays waiting for ferries and cross-Channel trains.

Agencies contributed to this report