Last updated at 5:28 PM on 23rd October 2011

The unseasonably sunny weather is about to end abruptly as torrential rain hits Britain.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for tomorrow, with a possibility some areas could see close to the usual average rainfall for the whole of October in just six hours.

Forecasters are concerned that flooding and travel disruption lie ahead as heavy rain spreads across south-west England and Wales.

Crashing waves: Stormy southerly gales lash the coast over the Cobb at Lyme Regis in Dorset

Crashing waves: Stormy southerly gales lash the coast over the Cobb at Lyme Regis in Dorset

Storm brewing: Turbulent water at Lyme Regis warns of grim weather to come

Storm brewing: Turbulent water at Lyme Regis warns of grim weather to come

After unusually warm sunshine for October saw temperatures reaching around 20C today, families hoping for a summery half-term holiday may be in for a rude awakening as the weather turns nasty.

The country could be plunged into chaos as the wet weather starting in Northern Ireland today moves over south-west England and Wales tomorrow morning.

Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: 'We have informed the Environmental Agency and local organisations to be on the alert.

'Rainfall could be 30-60mm in many areas and up to 100mm in Cornwall and Pembrokeshire. We are ready to increase our yellow alert to amber.

'Many areas will probably see about half their usual average rainfall for October in just one day, while in some parts the rainfall may reach nearly the average for the entire month.'

Golden sunshine: A couple bid the glorious October weather goodbye during an early morning walk by Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

Golden sunshine: A couple bid the glorious October weather goodbye during an early morning walk by Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

Getting nippy: Two dogs step out with their owner by the River Nene at Milton Ferry, Peterborough

Getting nippy: Two dogs step out with their owner by the River Nene at Milton Ferry, Peterborough

The band of rain is expected to spread north-east tomorrow night, with spells of rain predicted across London and the East Midlands.

Mr Morgan added: 'There will also be strong winds sweeping the South West, and gales on the coast of 50-60mph in exposed locations.'

On Tuesday, the bad weather will hit Scotland while the rest of the country will be clearer with bright spells as well as scattered showers.

'There will be a drier respite on Thursday,' said Mr Morgan. 'But temperatures will be closer to normal for October at around 13-15C in the South and 11-12 in the North.'

'There is also a risk of frost overnight into Friday.'

The Met Office website warned: 'Gusts exceeding 50mph may exacerbate any problems, by leading to leaves and other minor debris blocking drains.'

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Crikey, blustery weather with rain???!!! Is it the end of global warming and the beginning of an ice age as predicted by the DM's panel of crackpot 'forecasters'? No, actually it's called autumn!

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Children could also be hurt on the stone beach in high seas. Another disaster courtesy of the unelected District council and the EU. It can't be seen in the picture, but the beach that took millennia to create had thousands of tons of pebbles dumped on it to stabilise the promenade. Anybody with an A level in Physics will point out that no matter how many tons of pebbles were used it wouldn't stabilise anything because they are a macroscopic fluid. The council will tell you that these pebbles absorb the impact of the waves, and they do, but so would placing boulders or extending the breakwater. This was the cheap option, but If we assume the chief engineer had a Physics A level then he new this was a con, which begs the question, who got the big EU pay day?

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What happened to the snow and freezing weather?

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Now now Paul. People should be allowd to be stupid and risk their lives as a result. After all, we don't want loads of warning signs everywhere, do we. It's called the anti-nanny state ;-)

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It never ceases to amaze me how people go on the Cobb at Lyme Regis when the waves are up and the sea is high. It slopes and gets very slippery when wet. So dangerous. Please learn to respect the sea.

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Words fail me. How can these people be so stupid. One rogue wave and they will be washed away, then I suppose their families would blame it all on the council for not putting up a warning sign. Bozos, the lot of them.

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