Update - Weather gloom

Weather-wise it has been a poor start to the summer with the wettest April and June on record. July has not got off to a much better start, something the water companies have noted with the remaining four who implemented a hosepipe ban lifting their restrictions this week.

The Met Office on Wednesday added to the damp gloom by issuing a weather warning for the rest of the week for the whole of the south east

The Met has put East and West Sussex on a yellow alert for the end of the week.

Yellow is the first level of warning, with amber and red being the next two levels up. Experts at the Met Office say [of Wednesday]: "A band of heavy showers and thunderstorms accompanied by hail will continue to affect some south coastal counties of England through this afternoon and into the early evening. The public should be prepared for an increased risk of localised flooding and disruption to travel, particularly during today's rush hour. The showers should gradually ease from the west this evening."

They add: "The public should be aware that given ongoing near-saturated conditions, some localised flooding may result." 

Some 15-30mm is expected in an hour, and some 50mm in three hours for some localized areas.

People are being advised that the rainfall has the potential to cause localised flooding from rivers and surface water, so people should take extra care when driving.

However the forecast for Saturday is not better with a yellow warning presently being issued.

Hailsham People weather forecast