Europe will be at the receiving end of torrential rainfall this week as a low-pressure weather system moves in. The UK will be largely spared from the mass of rain, but countries in the east could see “heavy flooding downpours”. BBC weather forecaster Stave Danaos said the storms could cause traffic delays – adding the far west of Europe could escape the downpour.

Mr Danaos said: “We are seeing heavy flooding downpours across parts of the Balkans and into Bosnia and Herzegovina, with lots of lightning strikes here over the last 24 hours.

“The storms will be shifting a little bit further eastwards on Tuesday.

“We could be looking at some travel issues there with some of the torrential downpours which could cause some issues on the roads.

“It is looking dry for the far west of Europe – that’s thanks to a building area of high pressure over the Atlantic.”

Lightning maps for this morning show parts of Denmark, Sweden and Bulgaria are being hit by lightning.

But across the next 24-hour period, a vast swathe of the European mainland will see lightning strikes.

Germany, Poland and much of Eastern Europe will see high levels of lightning strikes.

Today, Europe is seeing a mix of sunshine and cloudy skies as temperatures hot up.

In Athens, temperatures have reached a scorching 26C, with 24C in Seville and 22C in Cala D’Or, Majorca.

Berlin is seeing sunshine and clouds today, with 21C, although Vienna is facing rain and 17C.

In the UK, temperatures will remain as they are now, with temperatures up to 15C.

The country won’t entirely escape the rain, however, with thunder and hail showers in some places over the next week.

Met Office Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Through Monday night going into Tuesday most of the showers will die out particularly for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“Some of the showers will be continuing across tomorrow in parts of Scotland and they could still be heavy at times.”

“Thunder will remain likely before a bit more persistent rain pushes in from the east.”

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Tidal Thames riverside from Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir.

According to the agency, water levels at this part of the Thames will rise thanks to spring tides.

High tide coming in at 5.15pm today is expected to be 4.15 metres above average, flooding low-lying roads and footpaths.

There is a possibility of flooding in the following areas:

– Putney Embankment (SW15)

– Chiswick Mall and Strand on the Green (W4)

– Thames Bank at Mortlake (SW14)

– Ranelagh Drive (TW1)

– Friars Lane and Water Lane (TW9)

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