Yellow weather alert issued with Met Office warning heavy rain and thunder is set to hit Britain today - which could affect Wimbledon and the Grand Prix
Heavy rain is forecast across the UK today and could affect Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon according to the Met Office.
Despite July now being in full flow, the forecasted downpours could be so bad that the weather service have issues a weather warning for rain in some parts of the UK.
Temperatures across the country were below average for the time of year on Saturday, with a high of 21C being reached in Northern Ireland, the forecaster said.
Similar temperatures are expected on Sunday, along with more heavy rain after a disrupted day of tennis at the All England Club already to begin the weekend.
However, both Wimbledon and Silverstone, Northamptonshire, are some distance from the Met Office weather warning, which has been given to those in North Wales and Merseyside areas between 4am and 10am this morning.
Heavy rain is forecast across the UK today and could affect Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon according to the Met Office, who have additionally issued a yellow weather warning for rain in North Wales and Merseyside areas
Spectators on the hill at Wimbledon were forced to shelter from the rain under umbrellas on Saturday morning
Whilst, further north, the Formula One qualifying was not affected, the morning's F3 race had to be put off until the evening. Pictured: Max Verstappen's Red Bull car at Silverstone yesterday
The yellow warning means heavy showers may cause some travel disruption and flooding.
Thunder is also possible on Sunday, most likely in the west, and high temperatures of 17-19C, with a chance of 20C on the east coast.
Speaking on Saturday, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: 'We've had quite a few heavy showers across the country today, there was some pretty heavy rain in the east but that's cleared and left us with showers.
'There will be more, tomorrow is sunshine and showers across the whole of the UK, but not quite as windy as today.
'There will probably be disruption to play across Wimbledon tomorrow, mainly in the afternoon. Wimbledon will mostly be dry in the morning, and the same with the Grand Prix.'
The gloomy forecast follows near-freezing temperatures in some rural areas of Scotland this week and the appearance of a blanket of snow at Glen Coe.
On Saturday some areas saw 20mm of rain, but it did not have an impact as it came on the back of a fairly dry spell, Mr Partridge added.
Heavy rain already delayed play in SW19 on Saturday morning, including for British No 2 Harriet Dart - who disappointingly departed the championships after defeat to Xinyu Wang of China, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.
And whilst, further north, the Formula One qualifying was not affected, the morning's F3 race had to be put off until the evening.
