The Met Office has issued a new yellow thunderstorm warning covering six areas in southern England, effective from 6pm to midnight on Thursday evening. The warning comes as the UK experiences its second heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to peak on Thursday, potentially breaking the June heat record of 35.6C and nearing the UK's all-time record of 40.3C.
Areas Affected and Hazards
The yellow thunderstorm warning applies to Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay. The Met Office warned that scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to move towards southwest England during Thursday evening and night. While many areas will miss them, thunderstorms may produce sudden, gusty winds of 50 to 60 mph, frequent lightning, hail, and heavy rain. The storms are most likely to impact the south coast of Devon and Cornwall.
Potential Impacts
The Met Office stated that buildings and temporary structures could be damaged by the sudden arrival of strong winds or lightning strikes. Power cuts and flash flooding are also possible. The warning follows thunderstorms that affected parts of southern England earlier this week, with Somerset experiencing around 18,540 lightning strikes in 24 hours, according to the Met Office. The London Fire Brigade received 400 calls overnight, including two house fires believed to be caused by lightning strikes and flooding of homes.
Heatwave Warnings
A red extreme heat warning is in force covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, with temperatures potentially climbing as high as 40C. The Met Office extended the alert to include the south coast of England and said it would remain in place until the end of Thursday. An amber warning for heat has been issued for Friday, covering much of England, with hottest spots potentially peaking around 38C in eastern and central areas. An amber warning for extreme heat covering parts of east and south-east England has also been issued for Saturday as the heat lingers into the weekend.
Public Advice
In recent days, schools have closed, brought in early finishing times, or relaxed uniform rules. Transport services have been disrupted, and people are being urged to stay inside, close windows and curtains, and stay hydrated to beat the heat. The Met Office advises caution during the thunderstorm warning period and recommends securing loose objects and avoiding travel if possible.
