Flood alerts as more than a month's rain and some snow is set to fall in one day

A whole month's rain is expected to fall in parts of Britain on Monday as plummeting temperatures bring a threat of snow too - not long after the UK basked in a short-lived heatwave.

The Environment Agency has issued 36 "be prepared" flood alerts and two "flooding is expected" warnings ahead of the projected rainfall.

Between 60 - 80mm of rain could fall on the North Downs between Kent and Surrey, where the monthly average for April is 50mm, according to Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell.

She added that the South East would be "getting the worst of the weather".

The North West is predicted to remain dry and sunny as people in the South brace themselves for flooding.

A top temperature of just 8C (46F) is forecast for London and the South East, 12C (54F) for Manchester and 6C (43F) for Norwich.

A man was trapped after a tree fell on his car between Herne Bay and Canterbury on the A291 in Kent on Monday morning.

Firefighters removed the roof of the vehicle and freed the driver who was taken to hospital by the South East Coast Ambulance Service, KentOnline reported.

The local news site added that the road was blocked in both directions as emergency services dealt with the accident.

One man died and two were injured off Ramsgate in Kent after being washed off the harbour wall and into the sea.

A coastguard spokesperson told Paste BN: "Just before 10.30am today HM Coastguard received a report that three people were in distress in the water off Ramsgate pier.

"It is believed that all three people were washed off the pier by a large wave."

A crash at Junction 1A of the M25 is causing delays leading up to the Dartford crossing, Essex Live reported.

A collision between junctions 27 and 28 on the M25 caused traffic to temporarily be held as Essex Police and highway officers attended the scene, Highways England East said on Twitter.

The lanes have been reopened but there are still delays.

Met Office meteorologist Sophie Yeomans told Paste BN on Monday: "We have had a lot of rainfall across the South East already today, about 40mm in a couple of places.

"Elsewhere in the northwest it is bright, dry and sunnier today.

"Things are looking in up for the southeast which will be much drier tomorrow, while the northwest might experience some rainfall."

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain and strong winds across southeastern England.

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts in 31 areas, many of which are in areas that feed rivers that flow through London's suburbs.

"Strong winds will lead to large waves and spray in exposed coastal areas and we encourage people to take care in these locations," flood duty manager Clare Dinnis added.

Trains and buses could be affected, with the Met Office warning of possible delays or cancellations.

"The heavy rain will be accompanied by strong to gale force northerly winds and it may be cold enough to produce some snow on high ground although this seems unlikely to settle," the Met Office wrote on its website.

Paste BN weather expert Chris England said on Monday: "It will be miserable in much of the southeast with coastal gales and localised flooding, but it will get better this evening."

He added that temperatures are likely to reach 20C this weekend.

Paste BN weather presenter Isobel Lang warned on Sunday of "persistent, heavy rain and strong cold winds" in some areas for Monday.

:: The latest Paste BN weather forecast

She said the gusts could cause disruption to flights.

"It's unusually cold, wet and windy for this time of the year," she added.

"There will be some very difficult driving conditions and disruptions at airports with the strong northerly winds.

"We are expecting impacts from this type of weather - and once it arrives, it's stuck with us all day."

In contrast, much of Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be sunny with warmer temperatures.

At present, the weather is expected to perk up for the bank holiday weekend with highs of up to 18C (64.4F) on Saturday.