After a spell of warm and dry weather, the UK is bracing for a significant change as thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are set to hit the country. According to the Met Office, up to 70mm of rain could fall in some areas within just a few hours.
The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms over the weekend. The first warning covers most of south-west England, parts of Wales, the Midlands, and west London.
It will be in effect from noon on Friday until 8 pm. The second warning extends across Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, and parts of south-east England, starting from 1 am on Saturday and continuing throughout the day.
Thunderstorms are expected to bring not only heavy rain but also hail and frequent lightning. The potential for flooding and damage to buildings from lightning strikes means that travelers and residents in these areas should prepare for disruptions.
After a warm spell with temperatures hitting 25°C, the UK is set for a dramatic weather shift with thunderstorms and possible flooding.The stormy weather follows a period of unusually warm conditions, with temperatures reaching 25°C in Inverness on Wednesday and matching highs in south-east England on Thursday. Meteorologist Dan Stroud noted that while the UK has enjoyed what might be summer’s final warm spell, a shift is imminent.
As we move into the weekend, temperatures will see a gentle decline, with highs of around 24°C expected in East Anglia on Saturday, dropping to the low 20s on Sunday.
For the month so far, the UK has experienced an average rainfall of 49.5mm, which aligns with typical September levels. Looking ahead, next week will likely bring successive bands of rain, marking a return to more typical autumn conditions.