Yellow warnings in force as rain and thunderstorms hit parts of UK
Torrential downpours will affect parts of England and Wales, delivering some of the wettest weather in several weeks
A yellow warning for thunderstorms is in effect for parts of the UK, including much of the Midlands, northern, eastern, southern England and parts of Wales, according to the Met Office. The warning is in place from 03:00 to 22:00 BST and may bring heavy rain, flash flooding, travel disruption, lightning and large hail. A further warning has been issued for Thursday, with more thunderstorms expected.
Some areas that have seen little rain so far in August could experience the wettest weather in weeks. In some locations, as much as 40-50mm of rain could fall within a few hours. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the showers, weather apps may struggle to accurately forecast the rain.
Flash flooding is a concern, particularly in areas where the ground is hard after a prolonged dry spell. Driving conditions may become difficult, and some roads could be closed. Large hail and frequent lightning are also possible.
Northern Ireland will see less intense showers with less thunder, while many parts of Scotland will remain dry with sunny spells, though some showers are likely in the south-west later on Thursday. Another zone of thunderstorms is expected to affect mostly England and Wales on Thursday.
The Met Office has issued a further yellow weather warning for Thursday, valid from 06:00 to 22:00 BST. Widespread rainfall totals of 20-30mm are expected within three hours, while some areas could see 50mm in the same timeframe. There is a small chance that eastern-facing hills, exposed to easterly winds, could record 75mm over 12 hours, posing a significant flood risk.
While some southern parts of the UK have seen little rain recently, the upcoming rain could far exceed recent totals in some areas. Forecasters are aware of the conditions ripe for storms, with warm, humid air from the UK interacting with colder air from the west higher in the atmosphere. However, computer weather models will struggle to pinpoint exactly where and when the biggest storms will occur.
Some storms may occur at night and may not show up in daily weather icons. Outdoor plans should be kept under constant monitoring, as hourly weather symbols and percentage chances of rain can provide valuable information.
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