UK weather: Met Office issues warnings as heavy rain, hail and thunder batter London

Weather forecasters have issued further severe weather warnings for England and Wales, with heavy rain, thunder and hail expected in London on 11 May. The gloomy weather comes days after England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland saw their warmest day of the year so far on 8 May, with highs of 27C recorded in Northolt, England.

The yellow "be alert" rain warning was issued by the Met Office on the morning of 11 May , coming into force at midday and expected to remain in place until 10pm. Wales, the Midlands, south-east England and parts of the south-west are impacted by the warning.

A chief forecaster for the Met Office said: "The areas of rain, some heavy, across southern parts of England and Wales will turn more showery by afternoon, while at the same time heavy and possibly thundery showers develop. Be aware of the potential for localised surface water flooding and difficult driving conditions."

Weather experts have also warned that the showers could become slow moving, particularly in the south-west, Midlands and Wales, bringing hail and lighting. As much as 25mm of rain can be expected within only one hour, with 40mm or more within a few hours.

The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings in south-east England, warning residents to be prepared. Areas surrounding River Whitewater, River Hart, River Blackwater and the Cove Brook are affected by the flood warnings.

In London, heavy rain flooded a major road and shut down DLR services in south-east London on 11 May. Photos emerged on Twitter of an interchange at Lewisham submerged, while DLR services were temporarily halted from Lewisham station, before being subject to severe delays.

Despite the wet conditions, weather experts recently warned that Britain could be expecting its hottest summer in 40 years. Temperatures for May are expected to be above average throughout the month, with WeatherAction forecaster Piers Corbyn confirming that a wild jet stream is bringing heat from the south into Britain.