The remnants of hurricanes often cross the Atlantic and impact on our weather, thankfully less severely.

And with the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season fast approaching, many Britons will recall the summer of 1986.

That was when Hurricane Charley turned day into night as it brought dark skies filled with menacing rain clouds across the heart of the British Isles.

August Bank Holiday Monday had dawned fair in eastern England but the Republic of Ireland was already suffering from the driving rain, later declaring a national disaster.

Friends cool off on one of the few hot days in August

As the heavy rain swept east, the inaugural motor racing SuperPrix in Birmingham city centre had to be abandoned before the finish because of the dangerous conditions.

This year's weather for the late summer holiday has been much more benign, with many places turning brighter and warmer.

Sutton Bonington in Leicestershire hit the heights with 25C, although there was rain for north-western areas.

A couple soak up some of the last rays of the summer

It turned increasingly muggy as the week went on, indicating that thunderstorms were gathering.

After a hot Saturday, then, there will be heavy downpours in some areas today  -  so watch for the likelihood of local flooding, most likely in the North East.

As August draws to a close, the heavy rain will further add to the monthly totals, making it as wet as 2004 for some areas and one of the wettest ever for most.

Visitors to the beach will also be well aware how dull it has been throughout the month, with many seaside places seeing barely half their normal quota of sunshine.

Lerwick in Shetland was the most notable exception, having enjoyed a blue-skies bonanza.