Severe Thunderstorm Warnings as UK Heatwave Continues

Yellow weather warnings are out for thunderstorms across much of England and Wales, just as a heatwave continues to grip parts of the UK. Expect heavy showers, lightning, and thunder starting Wednesday night and continuing into Thursday.

Travel disruptions and even power cuts could be on the table, especially with flood alerts already issued in certain areas of the Midlands. It’s been quite warm recently, with temperatures in southern England forecast to reach highs of 28C on Friday.

The yellow warnings are covering areas in central, northern, southern, and southeastern England, as well as central and eastern Wales. The Met Office has cautioned that driving conditions might become tricky, causing road closures and potential delays for trains and buses.

Dan Holley, a deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, pointed out that while the warning is for a large area, not every spot will be affected equally. The worst impacts are expected in central, southern, and southeastern England, with some places possibly receiving torrential downpours and large hail.

Some regions could see between 50 to 100mm of rain in just a few hours! There’s also a separate yellow warning already in place for eastern and southeastern England that will stay active until 11:59 PM BST on Wednesday.

A total of eight flood alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency, particularly for parts of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Loughborough. Rivers like the Trent, Maun, and Leen are experiencing these alerts, with low-lying agricultural areas and roads at the highest risk.

The advice for residents includes steering clear of low-lying footpaths near waterways and to plan driving routes avoiding roads that are prone to flooding.

This week has already been hot, with both Kew Gardens and Heathrow in London hitting 32C (90F). The Met Office defines a heatwave as a period where temperatures exceed a certain threshold for three consecutive days, which has been reached in and around London.

While the warmth will likely stick around through Friday, the forecast shows a slight cool down over the weekend, with highs expected to be around 23C, and the chance for scattered thunderstorms, particularly in the eastern and southeastern parts of England.

The Met Office warns of potential gusty winds, large hailstones, and the possibility of power cuts. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has also issued yellow heat health warnings for much of England, excluding the northeast and northwest.

As the warm weather continues, tips for coping with the heat include opening windows at night to allow cooler air in, while keeping curtains and blinds closed during the day to stay cool.