Flip-flops are out and umbrellas are in, as the autumn equinox starts, bringing with it heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain have hit many parts of England and Wales since Friday, causing some disruption. On Friday, there was a confirmed tornado in Aldershot, Hampshire. Throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning, there were 13,000 lightning strikes recorded.

Over a month’s worth of rain could strike in just 12 hours over the weekend, as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for large areas of England and Wales. Flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are also possible, as the UK braces for three consecutive weather warnings lasting from Saturday morning until 11.59pm on Monday.

A weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy showers is in force across much of southern England and Wales. The Met Office says damage to buildings as a result of lightning strikes, disruption to public transport and flooding should be expected within the affected areas.

Thunderstorms have hit southern parts of the UK with one confirmed tornado in Aldershot. More storms and heavy rain are expected over the weekend with yellow Met Office warnings in force. On Saturday there is the risk of lightning,

The Met Office has extended a yellow rain warning to Monday, as Britain braces for a rainy weekend. Sunday will see heavy outbreaks of rain moving northwards through the morning across southern England and much of Wales.

Britons are being warned of more heavy rain next week after a weekend washout of thunderstorms causing weather chaos. An urgent weather warning has already been issued for the weekend across a vast area of the UK.