The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for parts of southwest England, Wales, and the west Midlands, valid from 1pm to 8pm on Saturday. The warning highlights the risk of sudden flooding and travel disruption caused by slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Forecasters caution that up to 30mm of rain could fall in an hour or two, leading to difficult driving conditions, road closures, and possible cancellations to train and bus services. Some communities may be temporarily cut off by flooded roads.
The affected areas include Bath, Cornwall and Dorset in southwest England; Cardiff, Newport and Swansea in Wales; and Herefordshire and Shropshire in the west Midlands. Those planning to travel are advised to check road conditions before setting out.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to gradually fade during Saturday evening, with much of the country remaining dry. Northern England will see the most sunshine, with highs of 22°C in areas around Manchester and Birmingham.
Temperatures are predicted to drop on Sunday morning, with most of the UK overcast and scattered showers in Scotland and southeast England, before clearing later in the day. The Met Office forecasts patchy weather next week, with rain and clouds expected from midweek, but clearing in time for the bank holiday weekend, with temperatures potentially rising into the 30s in some parts.
