UK weather forecast: Tropical Storm Debby sweeps across the Atlantic as torrential rain and thunderstorms to batter UK

Torrential rain and thunderstorms are set to hit the UK in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby sweeping the Atlantic.

Low pressure from the storm, which is expected to dissipate over the North Atlantic today, could spark heavy rain and storms in parts of the east and south-east.

As much as 20mm to 30mm of rain is expected to fall in an hour.

Thunder and lightning could also hit the UK alongside large hail and strong winds, the Met Office said.

Met Office meteorologist Frank Saunders said: "After weeks of predominantly high temperatures and very little rainfall for many parts of the country, high pressure is finally breaking down allowing a cold front to introduce cooler, fresher air from the Atlantic to all parts of the UK.”

Temperatures that have scorched the UK for months have dropped around 10C to the low 20s.

Cooler temperatures are set to continue for the rest of the week, Mr Saunders added.

Londoners woke to grey skies and showers this morning after basking in highs above 30C over the weekend.

The mercury is expected to hover around 22C today.

The American National Hurricane Centre said Storm Debby formed 1,200 miles east of Boston on Tuesday but was not expected to make landfall in the US.

It is currently sweeping over the Atlantic around 1,175 miles off Portugal’s Azores with high winds of up to 45mph.

Violent thunderstorms hit the UK on Tuesday following the country’s longest heatwave in 40 years.

Record breaking temperatures have been recorded across Europe sparking forest fires in Greece, Portugal and Sweden.

Experts have said “warmer than average” temperatures are expected to continue until October.