The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert for thunderstorms across several areas in England on Thursday, marking the end of the recent UK heatwave. While many regions are set to miss the worst of the storms, some locations could still experience disruption due to strong winds, hail, lightning, and heavy rain.
According to the Met Office, there is a small risk that sudden gusts of wind could damage buildings and temporary structures. Drivers may face hazardous conditions caused by spray, standing water, and hail on roads, potentially leading to longer journey times for cars and buses. Lightning strikes might damage a few buildings, and some short-term power outages and service interruptions are possible. Additionally, a small chance of flooding affecting some homes and businesses has been highlighted.
Thursday’s forecast predicts plenty of sunshine for most areas, though low clouds may affect some North Sea coastal regions. The weather will remain hot across much of England and Wales, especially in southern and central parts, while northwestern Scotland will experience wetter, cloudier conditions with heavy rain. Thunderstorms with strong, gusty winds are expected to develop in southwest England during Thursday evening and then spread northeastward overnight. The day will be warm and humid overall.
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Looking ahead to Friday, the Met Office forecasts cloudy skies with rain and thunderstorms in northern regions, accompanied by hail and strong winds. Peak temperatures will shift toward eastern England, with a slight drop elsewhere.
From Saturday through Monday, hot weather will persist in the Southeast, but fresher conditions will gradually move in from the west. This change will bring further rain and thundery showers over the weekend, tapering off to drier weather by Monday.
The specific areas forecasted to face thunderstorms on Thursday include Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.