The Met Office has issued an amber warning for thunderstorms and flooding that could pose a danger to life in parts of the UK this weekend. The warning covers London and much of south-east England from 4am to 11am on Saturday, with heavy rain expected to cause 'fast flowing or deep flood water'.
Yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place across much of England until 9pm on Saturday, with 15 to 25mm of rain possible in under an hour. Scotland also has a yellow warning for rain from 4pm on Saturday until midday on Sunday. The storms are moving in from France, bringing a prolonged downpour that could lead to significant surface water flooding, especially in urban areas.
The Met Office warned that flooding of homes and businesses is likely and could happen quickly, with some communities potentially cut off if roads flood. Frequent lightning and localised surface water are also possible, and motorists have been urged to take care as many schools break for the summer holidays, making roads busier.
Under the amber warning, 20 to 40mm of rain could fall in an hour, with up to 70 to 100mm accumulating in a few hours where heavy downpours persist. London is particularly vulnerable due to its many impermeable surfaces. Chief meteorologist Andy Page noted that the situation is evolving and warnings may be changed or added.
Temperatures are expected to stay in the high teens to low 20s Celsius, but could reach mid to high 20s in the south during brighter spells. This is the first amber warning for London since Storm Henk in January 2024, following England's hottest June since records began in 1884. Scientists have said that such extreme weather is becoming the new norm due to climate change.
