Summer is not over – sun to shine on Suffolk and Essex after days of downpours

Summer washout as Suffolk is drenched in rain. Bury St Edmunds shopper clinging onto his umbrella. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Brighter weather – including some sunny spells and temperatures of up to 22C – could be felt in the region tomorrow, forecasters believe.

Drier conditions could provide some welcome relief to families across Suffolk and Essex this weekend who are yet to enjoy a rain-free trip to the beach.

The predictions come as experts revealed East Anglia had one of its wettest ever months in July.

Rainfall was up by 56% from the same month last year – and it looked as if this pattern would continue into August, dashing all hopes of a hot summer.

Summer washout as Suffolk is drenched in rain. Shoppers dash between the showers in Ipswich. Picture: GREGG BROWN

However, forecasters now believe sunshine could return to Suffolk and Essex as early as this afternoon.

Dan Holley, from Weatherquest, said: “It’s really not looking too bad for the next few days and into the weekend. We think summer may have returned – it’s been very damp with a lot of localised flooding over the past couple of days.

“There have also been some thunderstorms which may continue until Thursday morning, however most of these will begin to clear up by the afternoon.

“The weekend will be warmer – there’s likely to be the odd bit of cloud here and there, particularly on the Suffolk coast.

Summer washout as Suffolk is drenched in rain. Bury St Edmunds shoppers take cover. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“But it will be hotter with temperatures of around 22C on average.”

Mr Holley also revealed that July had been one of the wettest months of the year.

He added: “We have had a few months of higher than usual rainfall. June was also higher than last year with a 25% increase, July had a 56% increase.

“July was also warmer than average – it had an increase of 0.5C but unfortunately this was paired with lots and lots of rain.”

Summer washout as Suffolk is drenched in rain. Bury St Edmunds market stall holder pushing water off his stand. Picture: GREGG BROWN

From Thursday onwards, Mr Holley added, it will be much brighter with some sunny spells.

“Sunshine will be warm and temperatures are likely to stay in the low 20s,” he said.

Heavy showers and flooding caused havoc for drivers across the region yesterday as the Met Office issued a yellow warning for rainfall in Suffolk and Essex.

Motorists were urged to be wary of surface water flooding as experts predicted up to 30mm of rain would fall on the region between 12.05am and 11.55pm on Wednesday.

Home and business owners were also warned that buildings could flood.

The warning was removed at midnight.