UK weather live: Tornado alert tonight as heavy rain and thunderstorms strike amid four Met Office warnings

As of 8.46pm, the Environment Agency had 40 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding is expected, and 114 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

Areas of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire are listed as being the most vulnerable.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Toro) is also forecasting that much of the South East could see lightning, winds up to 50mph and even “isolated brief tornadoes”.

With yellow and amber warnings for much of England warning of disruption on the roads, National Highways has urged caution from drivers.

National network manager Stephen Basterfield said: “With heavy rain expected to cause further flooding and disruption today and overnight its important people adjust their driving behaviour and take extra care.

“Road users should plan their journey and check the latest updates on diversion routes before they travel as these could be impacted with more rainfall.

“We have a section of our website dedicated to travelling when it is raining, as part of our guide to travelling in severe weather.”

As the Met Office forecasts, and this graphic shows, heavy rain will fall over much of the UK tonight.

A council in Gloucestershire is handing out sandbags to residents to help protect their homes against flooding.

Tewkesbury Borough Council posted on social media: “During extreme weather events, we provide sandbags for residents to protect their homes from flooding.

“Please be considerate to others who may need to protect their homes. Emergency sandbags are available to protect habitable areas of your home, rather than gardens or garages.

“Four sandbags are sufficient for most doorways, and during emergencies, officers will provision appropriately to ensure as many homes are protected as possible.”

Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding and transport disruption this evening until 6am.

The Met Office said: “Some places, especially across central and eastern parts of the warning area, are likely to receive 30-40mm in three hours or less, and perhaps 50-60mm or more in around six hours.

“This rain will fall onto already saturated ground and affect communities recovering from recent flooding. Travel disruption and further flooding is likely, with rivers continuing to rise after the rain clears.”

Parts of Britain have been struck by more flash floods as the Met Office warns of more heavy rain.

The forecaster has issued an amber warning for areas of the Midlands and south of the country, which came into force at 6pm on Thursday and will last for 12 hours.

Yellow rain warnings had already been in place for large parts of England and Wales and western parts of Northern Ireland.

As of 6.17pm, the Environment Agency had 38 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding is expected, and 105 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

As roads look likely to be impacted by heavy rain tonight, the Environment Agency is reminding peopel to take care when driving through flood water.

Kate Marks, flood duty manager, said “We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

With heavy rainfall forecast across many areas of the UK, including some areas already under water, the Environment Agency (EA) has been busy working with impacted communities.

As of 4pm, there were 30 flood warnings in place, where flooding is likely, plus 84 flood alerts, where flooding could happen.

Kate Marks, flood duty manager at the EA, said: “Heavy rainfall across the country means that significant river and surface water flooding impacts are possible in parts of central England today and into Friday. Minor river flooding impacts are also possible in parts of north-east England today and Friday.

“Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.

“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates.”