UK weather: Thunderstorms and flood warnings as heatwave comes to an end

Thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rain are threatening parts of Britain this weekend, with flooding expected to cause travel chaos.

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for most of England and all of Wales until midnight on Sunday.

The extreme weather may damage buildings and cause power cuts. There could also be cancellations to train and bus services, while flooding may close roads.

The South of England and Wales are likely to have the most rainfall, with frequent lightning, gusty winds and heavy downpours with 30-40mm of rain possible in less than an hour, according to the Met Office.

Four flood alert warnings have been issued across the West Midlands by the Environment Agency.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said thunderstorms will “keep coming over the next few days”.

She added that later on Sunday, the “heaviest downpours are likely to develop across East Anglia, Lincolnshire and the North East, with the threat of flooding”.

Tonight will see the thundery showers spreading further north and westwards into the Borders, Northern Ireland and eastern parts of the Republic.

Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “Up until Monday, thunderstorm warnings cover much of England and Wales, with parts of southern England and South Wales seeing the greatest likelihood of impacts.”

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Neil Davies, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Isolated thunderstorms could bring sudden surface water and river flooding, which may lead to flooded properties and severe travel disruption in some areas.

“Further surface water and river flooding is also a possibility until Sunday.”

On Monday, northern Scotland is expected to be sunny, while showers are forecast in the East.

Elsewhere, there will be sunny intervals, showers or thunderstorms.

Tuesday will see sunshine and showers, with rainfall particularly heavy in the North, while Wednesday is forecast to be drier in the South with showers further north.

And while temperatures will initially remain warm for many as the week progresses, unsettled weather will continue before conditions become cooler.

In its forecast for Wednesday until next Saturday, the Met Office said: “Temperatures may cool slightly by the end of this period with freshening winds from the northwest likely to create a more widespread risk of gales.”

(c) Sky News 2020: UK weather: Thunderstorms and flood warnings as heatwave comes to an end