Summer Soaking: Two Week Washout Forecast

The wet weather is forecast to continue for another two weeks after record-breaking rainfall in both April and June.

The first half of July is expected to remain unsettled, with no sign of sunshine and hot temperatures until the second part of the month - potentially in time for the London Olympic Games.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "This week has already been rather wet thanks to low pressure and there is little sign of improvement at least for the next 10 to 14 days.

"Anyone hoping for a break in the weather may have to wait until the latter half of the month when there are signs that high pressure may bring some sunnier days.

"For now we are stuck in a rut with the jet stream further south than usual."

Ms Lang warned of the risks associated with the predicted downpours.

"Apart from the fact that the weather is just downright dull and miserable for a lot of the time, there are more serious consequences with the potential for dangerous driving conditions and from flooding."

She added: "During Thursday, Friday and Saturday northern parts of Britain and Ireland could see prolonged and heavy downpours and some flooding.

"Low pressure over southern areas will bring sunshine and heavy, slow-moving showers."

The wet weather has already caused delays to some of this year's big summer sporting fixtures, including Wimbledon and England Test matches.

According to the Met Office, double the average monthly rain fell across the UK last month, making it the wettest June since records began.

June saw long, prolonged rainfall and short but extremely heavy showers, and ended with freak storms which battered areas of the Midlands and the North East.

The exceptional amount of rain caused floods in Wales and parts of England.

It was also one of the dullest and coolest Junes ever, according to the Met.

June was the second month this year to see record-breaking amounts of rain, with April also the wettest, according to records dating back more than a century to 1910.

So far this summer only there has only been one spell of prolonged fine weather during the second half of May.

The UK's record rainfall comes as the US experiences violent storms and a heatwave that have seen soaring temperatures kill at least 22 people and left millions without power.