Mini heatwave triggers thunderstorms across Lancashire

But the high temperatures brought by the mini heatwave are expected to trigger a series of thunderstorms across the UK this morning, bringing the possibility of extreme rainfall, flash flooding and power cuts.

Thunderstorms are predicted to bring more than two inches of rain in the space of an hour in some areas, prompting the Met Office to issue a severe weather warning covering almost all of the country.

The Met Office website says: Heavy and thundery downpours will continue to drift northwards during the morning, which will gradually clear. It will become mostly dry with sunny spells for the afternoon, but with the risk of further scattered showers. Feeling very warm and humid. Maximum Temperature25 °C.