The UK is set for a dramatic weather shift as a 400-mile band of torrential rain and thunderstorms sweeps across the country, ending the current mini-heatwave. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms across multiple regions, with the worst conditions expected on Thursday and Friday.
A yellow warning for Thursday covers the South West of England, Wales, and the West Midlands, with downpours potentially causing flooding, power cuts, and transport disruption. A separate warning for Northern Ireland forecasts up to 10mm of rainfall per hour by Thursday afternoon. Another yellow alert for the East of England, London, and the South East begins at 3pm on Friday and lasts into early Saturday, with 20mm to 40mm of rain possible in a few hours.
According to WXCharts, the rain will stretch from the Scottish Highlands to Southampton, affecting cities including Belfast, Blackpool, Derby, and London. Ventusky and Netweather maps show concentrated bursts of up to 5.5mm of rain per hour in the capital and heavier amounts further west.
Despite the storms, temperatures are expected to remain warm, with parts of the south-east potentially reaching 32°C next week and highs of 34°C, the hottest since August 2024. Netweather forecaster Ian Simpson attributes the heat to a 'Spanish plume' bringing warm air from southern Europe, though cooler air is expected later.
The Met Office says Friday will bring a brief lull before another wave of thunderstorms from the south-west into Saturday morning.
