Severe weather warnings as Britain battered by storms
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We know April is renowned for its 'showers' but total washouts we don't expect.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings as much of the country is hit by heavy rain, high winds and even mini tornadoes.
Its website warns: "A band of heavy rain will move north across southern parts of England and Wales during Tuesday night, followed by heavy and locally thundery downpours for Wednesday.
"The rain will be accompanied by strong and gusty southeasterly winds. The public should be aware that heavy rain may lead to localised surface water flooding and poor driving conditions."
Met Office spokesperson Charlie Powell told Aol Travel: "The bad weather is being caused by areas of low pressure which have been slow-moving over the UK.
"This has given us the sunshine and showers pretty much since the start of April.
"Occasionally, the low pressure has been squeezed out of the way by a band of more persistent rain, such as last Monday 16, Monday 23 and, of course, last night/today.
"The worst hit areas today have been southwest England and south Wales with between 20 and 30 mm of rain and strong winds, but the showers following will affect many areas."
And the downpours aren't due to let up anytime soon.
Charlie added: "The unsettled weather is expected to continue over the weekend although it should be a largely dry start on Saturday. However, further persistent rain is expected to spread from the south in the afternoon and through the rest of the weekend."
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Time for a great escape? Choose one of these balmy beach spots:
The ten best beaches in the world
- Providenciales, Turks & Caicos<p> Located in one of the top ten best scuba diving destinations in the world, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa is located in exotic Grace Bay in Providenciales. It's perfect for families as it has a 24-hour nanny service.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> Beaches Resort Turks & Caicos<br /> Seven nights staying at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa on a Luxury Included basis costs from £1,769 per adult and £1,045 per child. Return flights and resort transfers are included in the price. For further information or to make a booking call Beaches Resorts on 0800 597 0001. visit<a href="http://www.beachesresorts.co.uk/" target="_blank"> beachesresorts.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Boracay, Philippines<p> Boracay is seven miles of Pacific Island heaven, where the order of the day is unwind relax. If you do fancy getting out of your hammock (but why would you?), check out the curious Bat Caves.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa, a stunning hotel situated on a hillside overlooking the sea, boasting secluded beach spots and its own 'spa village'. Visit <a href="http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/boracay/boracayresort" target="_blank">shangri-la.com</a>.</p>
- Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba<p> Visitors from the UK to Aruba have grown by more than 60 per cent in the last two years, attracted by the island's pristine white powder sandy beaches and the idyllic turquoise sea, which looks like its been photoshopped! The seven-mile strip of Palm and Eagle Beach includes a little something for everyone, from wide shaded huts and quiet retreats to busy sunbathing and buzzing beach bars.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> Westin Resort Aruba<br /> Thomson (0871 231 3234) offers a 7-night package, including direct flights from London Gatwick, hotel transfers, breakfast, staying at the five-star recently refurbished Westin Resort Aruba from £722pp, based on two people sharing. Visit<a href="http://www.thomson.co.uk/" target="_blank"> thomson.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Negril, Jamaica<p> Negril is famed for its natural beauty and laid back lifestyle, and nowhere is this more evident than on the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. Here you'll find one of the island's top resorts and the longest continuous stretch of sand in Jamaica, offering visitors a range of activities from snorkelling and cliff jumping to enjoying the reggae beats and cocktails at Rick's Cafe.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa<br /> The holiday: Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa is a chic hotel situated on Seven Mile Beach, offering unrivalled facilities including a host of watersports, six restaurants and a relaxing spa. Go to <a href="http://www.sandals.co.uk/main/negril/ne-home.cfm" target="_blank">sandals.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Tulum, Mexico<p> Tulum is a beautiful old Mayan city, with ruins that sit on 39ft tall cliffs along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. So it's great for a bit of culture as well as kicking back on the beach.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> A four-bedroom villa on the beach courtesy of homeaway.co.uk. Featuring four bedrooms, two with king beds and balcony facing the sea and two with two double beds each, the villa is secure, private and has a beautiful backyard. One bedroom on the main floor opens to the sea. The property also features an open design communal living area and a large seaside terrace. Sleeps 13, from £1,562 per week. Visit <a href="http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p809919?icid=IL_Redirects_IB_T_Text_None_LEXT_all" target="_blank">homeaway.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina<p> The Grand Strand - as the Myrtle Beach area is commonly known - stretches for 60 miles along the South Caroline coast.It's a long-established holiday hotspot, bursting with endless shopping opps, golf courses, amusement parks and waterspouts.<br /> <strong>Stay at: </strong>Myrtle Beach Marriott for amazing ocean views. Visit <a href="http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/myrgd-myrtle-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa-at-grande-dunes/" target="_blank">marriott.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman<p> Seven Mile Beach has also been voted the best in the Caribbean, so it's pretty hard to beat this near-perfect stretch of sand, which is lined with luxury resorts and bars. There are few restrictions on this beach - open grilling us allowed and pets are free to roam - but avoid playing loud music and stripping off naked, because they're about the only things you're not allowed to do!<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> Caribbean Club<br /> The five star Caribbean Club is located directly on Seven Mile Beach and offers guests two bedroom and three bedroom all-suite accommodation. All rooms have large balconies that look out onto Seven Mile Beach with sun loungers and a table and chairs. Prices start from US 450 for a two bedroom or US 680 for a 3 bedroom suite based on double occupancy. Subject to 10% government tax and 10% service charge. (May 1 to 15 December 2011). Visit <a href="http://caribclub.com/Pages/Default.aspx" target="_blank">caribclub.com</a>.</p>
- Cape May, New Jersey<p> Sitting at the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is a small seaside holiday resort with a population of 4000 - which swells to 40,000 in the summer months, giving an indication the popularity of its beaches and historical charm.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> <a href="http://www.virginiahotel.com/" target="_blank">Virginia Hotel</a> - a gorgeous collection of upmarket cottages in the historic area of Cape May. Visit <a href="http://www.capemay.com/index.php" target="_blank">capemay.com</a> for more information, and <a href="http://www.blacktomato.co.uk/" target="_blank">blacktomato.co.uk</a> for great holiday ideas.</p>
- Santa Teresa, Costa Rica<p> Surf fans, listen up! Santa Teresa has world-class waves and is a sea-rider's paradise, busting with surf shops and camps. But you don't have to love surfing to love Santa Teresa. Just soak up the sun on the pristine beach, check out the jungles surrounding it, or visit Costa Rica's nature reserve, Cabo Blanco, and enjoy its live music nights and exciting nightlife.<br /> <strong>Stay at:</strong> The White House - a stunning open-plan house on the beach. An architectural masterpiece with a private infinity pool, the property is next door to Pranamar, the newest and most beautiful yoga resort in Costa Rica and consists of a large four-bedroom beachfront estate home, and two smaller two-bedroom villas. Eight bedrooms, sleeps 17, from £638 per per week. Visit <a href="http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p353087?icid=IL_Redirects_IB_T_Text_None_LEXT_all" target="_blank">homeaway.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic<p> Punta Cana offers all the dreamy fun you'd expect on a Caribbean holiday: horse riding on the beach, snorkelling and parasailing. Don't miss a trip to the South American village of Altos de Chavon, and take a speedboat to the beautiful Isla Saona.<br /> <strong>Stay at: </strong>Tortuga Bay - a collection of 15 luxurious beachfront villas decorated by none other than Oscar de la Renta. Visit <a href="http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxury-hotels/punta-cana/tortuga-bay" target="_blank">fivestaralliance.com</a></p>
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