Thunder, lightning, and the threat of up to 70mm of rain loom over the UK as a two-day weather warning has been issued by the Met Office. Following a period of dry and warm weather, the Met Office has raised concerns over potential damage to buildings from lightning strikes, disruptions to public transport, and the likelihood of flooding in affected areas due to the upcoming thunderstorms. The weather warnings are in place for Friday and Saturday, with the first alert covering parts of south-west England, Wales, the Midlands, and west London from 12 pm to 8 pm on Friday. The second warning encompasses all of Wales and south-west England, the Midlands, and parts of south-east England throughout Saturday.
The Met Office has cautioned that hail and frequent lightning could accompany the thunderstorms and heavy showers, particularly on Saturday, where up to 70mm of rainfall is expected in the worst-hit areas. This stormy weather follows a recent warm and dry spell that saw temperatures soaring to 25C in Inverness on Wednesday and reaching the same high in south-east England on Thursday. Meteorologist Dan Stroud of the Met Office noted that while the UK has experienced an average of 49.5mm of rainfall this month, which is typical for this time of year, a “gentle decline” in temperature is anticipated over the weekend. Highs of 24C are forecasted for East Anglia on Saturday, followed by temperatures in the low 20s on Sunday.
Looking ahead, Stroud mentioned that “successive bands of rain” and conditions normal for autumn are expected in the coming week as the weather gradually transitions. As the UK braces for potentially disruptive weather, the Met Office advises the public to stay informed and vigilant during this period of significant weather activity. Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds.