Rain stops play as severe weather warnings continue

The first day of England's third test against the West Indies at Edgbaston in Birmingham saw no play because of rain. Credit: PA

Strong winds and heavy rain battered many parts of the country today, and forecasters warned that there was more on the way.

Gusts of more than 50mph were recorded in Cornwall as the storm roared in from the Atlantic.

Rain affected many areas and the first day of the Third Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston was confirmed as a washout just before tea.

Chris Burton, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said:

"We may see gusts approaching 70mph on exposed coasts and headlands in south-west England and in south Wales. We've already had a gust of 57mph at Culdrose in Cornwall at about 3pm today.

"There is a deep area of low pressure to the south-west of the UK, deep for this time of year, and it's going to track north-east through the afternoon and night."

Through tonight and tomorrow, the centre of the storm is expected to move slowly north-east, touching areas as far away as north Wales and exiting Britain as far north as Northumberland.

Severe Met Office weather warnings were in place in:

  • Northern Ireland: risks of localised flooding and difficult driving conditions;

  • South west: Gales and heavy rain expected to damage trees and disrupt travel;

  • Wales: South-westerly gales expecting to cause travel disruption

Tomorrow Met Office warnings over wind and rain are extended to include south Wales and many parts of southern England as well as the South West.

Spokesman Charlie Powell said: "It is possible there could be up to three inches of rain in hilly and mountainous areas of Wales, with lower but still substantial rainfall in more low-lying areas."

ITV Meridian's Sally Simmonds was interviewing Olympic bronze medalist Bryony Shaw in Weymouth today when the south coast's windy conditions nearly got the better of her.

Hardy holidaymakers in Brean, Somerset, have been telling ITV West why they have still braved torrential rain for a June camping trip: