Thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall are expected to hit the UK following a period of warm, dry weather. The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday, with up to 70mm of rain predicted within a few hours. The warnings cover various regions, including parts of Wales, the Midlands, and south-west England. Damage from lightning strikes, disruption to transport, and flooding are anticipated.
Friday’s warning spans from 12pm to 8pm, affecting areas in the south-west of England and parts of Wales and London. The second warning covers all of Saturday, beginning at 1am and encompassing Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, and parts of south-east England. Severe downpours of rain, hail, and frequent lightning may accompany the storms on Saturday, with the potential for the heaviest rainfall in the most affected regions.
The stormy weather follows a recent warm spell, with temperatures reaching 25C in places like Inverness and south-east England. The Met Office forecaster, Dan Stroud, expects a decline in temperatures over the weekend, reaching highs around 24C in areas like East Anglia on Saturday. Next week is projected to see typical autumn weather conditions, with successive bands of rain and cooler temperatures expected.
As of mid-September, the UK has already experienced average rainfall for the time of year. The Met Office advises that the public remains alert to the changing weather conditions and takes necessary precautions to stay safe during the thunderstorms and heavy rainfall predicted for the weekend.