Britain on flood alert as Environment Agency warns of torrential downpours in eight areas Meteorologists say the rain is a welcome sight for farmers across the country but warn that after 18 months of dry weather only prolonged periods of rain will succeed in replenishing ground water levels. A spokesman for the Met Office said: "The public should take extra care and be aware heavy rain may lead to localised surface water flooding and poor driving conditions. The rain will be accompanied by strong and gusty winds and, on higher hills and mountains, significant and heavy falls of snow will occur. There is no real end in sight to this unsettled period. We'll certainly see showers across the country in the next seven days and longer forecasts suggest it will continue through much of May. Meanwhile, strong winds in Southsea, Hants, blew over a section of 70ft-high scaffolding from the Royal Beach Hotel, crushing six vehicles below and blocking the road. Part of a balcony also came down in the incident completely writing off some cars. Driver Barry Fleming, 46, who only passed his driving test last week, said his Ford Ka had been hit. He added: "Thank goodness nobody was killed, that's the main thing. I just passed my test last week. I can't believe it. Its completely crushed our car. You can't repair that - it's a write off. The bad weather is also set to hit Scotland later with heavy snow predicted in higher regions. Thunderstorms are set to bring more mid-air tornadoes - narrow spinning funnel clouds stretching below storm clouds - which have already been spotted recently in Hertfordshire, Hampshire, East Anglia, Lincolnshire, Manchester, Durham and the Outer Hebrides. But despite the conditions the EA has said it is unlikely to be enough to replenish near-empty reservoirs and allow them to lift the hosepipe ban. Tomorrow is likely to be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland.