The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning, forecasting thunderstorms and heavy rain that could disrupt travel across southern England and Wales.
The warning is in effect from 4 PM to 11:59 PM on Monday, covering much of south Wales, south-west England, and parts of southern England.
Drivers should prepare for hazardous conditions due to spray, standing water, or hail, which may affect visibility and road safety. Train services are also likely to experience delays.
The Met Office warns of potential flooding for some homes and businesses, with lightning strikes, hail, and gusty winds posing a risk to buildings, particularly near coastal areas.
Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders stated, “Areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms will move northwards across southern England and Wales later this afternoon before clearing overnight.”
Prepare for hazardous driving conditions and possible flooding across southern regions today.He added that some locations could receive between 20-30 mm of rain in just two to three hours, with isolated areas possibly reaching 40 mm.
Thunderstorms are expected to be most severe in south-facing coastal districts, accompanied by hail and strong winds.
Following this, additional heavy showers and thunderstorms are anticipated across central and southern regions of the UK on Tuesday, with prolonged rainfall expected in south-east Scotland and north-east England from Tuesday into Wednesday.
While further weather warnings are possible through midweek as rain falls on saturated ground, the Met Office indicates that the risk of flooding should decrease.
Additionally, there is increasing confidence that ex-Hurricane Kirk will track south of the UK, impacting northern France with heavy rains and strong winds, while the UK remains largely unaffected.
From Wednesday, temperatures will drop, leading to below-average conditions throughout the UK, with night frosts and potential snow in Scotland’s higher mountains later in the week. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.