Heavy thunderstorms in Britain may soon give way to the year’s warmest day. The same storm caused mudslides in northern France, leading to the death of a 57-year-old woman and injuring her partner.
In southern England and Wales, overnight storms caused building damage and travel delays.
The Met Office predicts that Thursday might bring the hottest temperature of the year, possibly surpassing Wednesday’s 22.1°C, with the southeast potentially reaching 24°C.
Two yellow weather warnings were issued for heavy rain, with storms hitting the southwest of England and Wales. These warnings were set to last until Thursday morning.
Lightning strikes disrupted the electricity supply on the rail line between Westbury and Castle Cary, causing train cancellations. Although lines have reopened, National Rail warned of possible ongoing delays.
Temperatures may reach 24°C as thunderstorms give way to brief periods of sunshine in the south.A care home in Elmer, Sussex, and a university building in Chichester were both struck by lightning, damaging their roofs. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and residents were safely relocated.
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna indicated that Thursday could see the warmest temperatures of the year. Despite the storms, southern England might experience a brief respite from rain, with skies clearing and temperatures rising. However, this warmth could trigger more thunderstorms in the afternoon, leading to a changeable forecast in the coming days.
The storms may cause further travel disruptions and localized flooding. While northern England is expected to remain dry, southern parts will continue to face heavy rain.
The bank holiday weekend is forecasted to be mixed, with rain expected in most areas, though temperatures will stay mild, ranging from the mid to late teens. Showers are anticipated across the country on bank holiday Monday.