The Met Office has warned that nine counties in southern England could face thunderstorms this May Bank Holiday weekend, with heavy rain, strong winds, and possible hail expected in affected areas.
Unsettled Start to the Weekend
Today will begin unsettled, with some heavy downpours and early showery or thundery outbreaks moving eastwards. Further rain will emerge throughout the morning, especially across Scotland and Northern Ireland, where some could turn locally intense during the afternoon.
Met Office chief forecaster Dan Harris said: "Meanwhile, rain will reach southern England during the morning, spreading north into much of England and Wales later in the day, again heavy at times with a small risk of thunderstorms, these most likely in the southeast. Away from the heaviest showers, many southern and eastern areas will feel warm and rather humid, while temperatures farther north stay closer to average and conditions vary markedly through the day."
Sunday and Monday Outlook
Sunday is anticipated to begin wet across much of England and Wales, with rainfall also probable in southern Scotland and the possibility of some heavier downpours, the Met Office has cautioned. It stated that as the day progresses, the rain should steadily weaken and break up, permitting some brighter spells to emerge—though these clearer periods could trigger a few intense showers or even thunderstorms. Scotland and Northern Ireland will feel cooler on the whole, with lighter and less frequent spells of rain.
Temperatures are expected to hover around average in northern regions, while parts of the southeast could still feel relatively mild should cloud cover clear later in the day.
Mark Sidaway, deputy Chief Forecaster with the Met Office, said: "Bank holiday Monday will remain changeable, with lingering cloud and scattered showers across southern and central areas, but these should be lighter and fewer than over the weekend."
Counties at Risk
The nine counties warned of thunderstorm risk are: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex.
