BRITS are set to be drenched by hours of torrential rain today as thunderstorms hit ahead of a weekend washout.

       The Met Office has warned to expect heavy showers and storms across parts of the UK, with downpours forecast to begin this afternoon.

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       The UK is set to be hit by relentless rain and thunderstorms today Credit: Chris Eades 6

       Yellow rain and thunderstorm warnings are in place throughout the week Credit: Alamy 6

       The Met Office issued today's warning from dinnertime until 9pm tonight Credit: MET Office

       A wall of rain is blowing in from the Atlantic, seeing yellow weather warnings issued across the East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.

       The alert for heavy rain is in place from dinner time right the way through until 9pm tonight, seeing meteorologists warn of possible flooding and travel disruption.

       And it looks like it's going to get worse before it gets better, as yellow warnings for thunderstorms are in place from 10am on Friday until 9am the following morning.

       Up to 100mm of rain could fall in some places today, the Met Office said, with the northern and central parts of the UK expected to be the worst hit.

       Travellers have been told to take care as flash floods and surface water on roads could cause commuter chaos.

       TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS

       They also told Brits to brace themselves as the 400-mile wide Atlantic system could bring 60mph winds from tomorrow.

       "Heavy showers" will then hit "much of the UK on Friday" ahead of a very wet weekend.

       It is expected to bring "torrential downpours" and a "risk of strong winds", according to Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern.

       Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey said the UK's weather looks like it is still under an "Atlantic influence".

       "We are likely to see potential for thunderstorms through much of this week."

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       Forecasters have warned of possible flooding and travel disruption Credit: Rex 6

       A wall of rain is blowing in from the Atlantic and is influencing UK weather Credit: Geoff Robinson 6

       Heavy showers are expected to last throughout the week before sunshine returns Credit: Alamy

       She said it was "quite usual to receive most of the month's rain in two to three bursts during the summer months".

       But a heatwave is set to send temperatures soaring in the second half of August, with the sunshine starting as early as next week.

       The mercury will also struggle to climb above 19C or 20C across Saturday and Sunday.

       But thankfully Brits can enjoy another heatwave for much of the rest of the month.

       The Met Office says the weather will turn more settled, bringing drier conditions and sunny spells.

       Temperatures will "trend closer to, perhaps above average", experts say.

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       Weather maps show highs of 25C in Southend-on-Sea on August 11, and 26C in London on August 15.

       Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: "Computer models are suggesting that temperatures are more likely to be above the average than below it over the period as a whole.

       "There could be some very warm periods mixed in, particularly in the south."