Flood warnings in place as millions set to hit roads on Easter Monday

Parts of the UK are set to be battered by downpours as travellers return home at the end of the Easter weekend.

Forecasters expect heavy rain across the south of England on Easter Monday, with the risk of hail and thunder.

Some 10 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – are in place across England, including for the River Brue in Somerset and River Severn in Gloucestershire, as well as 112 flood alerts.

Around 2.01 million leisure journeys will be made by car on Easter Monday, according to the RAC and transport analysis company Inrix.

The lengthiest delays are expected to be between 10am and 12pm, and drivers have been advised to wait until later in the day and travel in the evening.

Liam Eslick, a forecaster at the Met Office, said there is a “risk of localised flooding” in some areas.

Mr Eslick said: “Being the bank holiday weekend, people are travelling around at this time, so we’d recommend checking road coverage if people are driving or any bus and train timetables to see if there are any cancellations.”

Drivers are urged to reduce their speeds, as rain can reduce visibility, and give themselves more time to brake on slippery road surfaces – suggesting a gap of at least four seconds between traffic.

The showers could bring between 5mm and 15mm of rainfall, forecasters said.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to see much brighter spells.

The outlook will remain unsettled after the long weekend, with low pressure dominating and spells of heavy rain likely.