HEAVY rain and thunderstorms expected today could wash away hopes of a long spell of warm, sunny weather.

The Met Office has issued a warning for rain and thunder across parts of southern England, including Sussex, today.

Showers were expected to hit last night and continue through most of today with the heaviest rain fall due between 3am and 10am.

There have been warnings of possible surface water flooding, lightning strikes and hail.

The soaring temperatures enjoyed in the county this week are not expected to fall just yet – with highs of 22C (71.6F) forecast today. The sun is expected to break through the clouds at about 6pm, emulating much of the weather being joined along the Mediterranean at present.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “A warm and humid air mass covers southern Britain at present.

“This is already becoming increasingly unstable and producing a few thunderstorms which were expected to become more widespread overnight into today and extend further north into the Midlands and Wales.

“Many places will miss the worst of these – some may stay dry – but where they do occur, 20 to 30 mm rain may fall in a short time, leading to some surface water flooding, whilst lightning and hail may be additional hazards.”

Extreme flash flooding, similar to the three weeks of rain fell which on Brighton and Hove and surrounding areas in just one hour in July, is not expected.