Weather experts have revealed today’s freak rainfall looks set to make it Dundee’s wettest July since records began in 1954.

A reading from the Scottish Crop Research Institute at 10am confirmed 140.1mm of rain has already fallen this month, compared with the record of 161.3mm in 1990. With ten days left in July there is every chance that landmark could be topped.

The average rainfall for the city for the month is just 52.7mm.

The deluge caused stretches of the Kingsway to be almost underwater for long periods and Tayside Police advised drivers to take extra care.

Huge puddles formed on busy thoroughfares such as Riverside Drive and Arbroath Road and bus and taxi drivers were told to use extra caution when picking up passengers.

There were no reports of any serious accidents, but traffic build-up was heavy on the main approaches to Dundee from Perth, Arbroath and Broughty Ferry as car owners took their time to get to work.

Tayside Fire and Rescue said they had been “very busy with flooding” in the Perth area as they battled to help those who had suffered water damage to their premises.

Although visibility across the Tay Bridge was limited there were no traffic flow problems and commuters were able to make it into the city roughly on schedule.

Forecasters have promised a return to sunshine for much of the remainder of the week, but temperatures are likely to drop.

A Met office spokesman said, “The very heavy rain will move north out of the Tayside and Fife area today, but will move back down across the region as it heads south.

“Thunder and lightning is expected later this afternoon and into the evening as this system passes through. The band of rain will move away from the area and the next three or four days will be fine.

“The air will feel much fresher — although temperatures will still be good with averages of 18C. The weekend will be much nicer and the westerly wind will keep it warmer.”