Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Parts of UK as Hot Weather Ends
A severe amber weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office for parts of the UK, effective from 8pm tonight. The warning affects areas in the east of England, stretching from Norfolk down to East Sussex. According to the Met Office, the hot and humid weather expected throughout Friday will end in "beefy showers" in many areas.
The amber alert warns of "fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life". Temperatures are expected to reach 29C (84F) in Cambridge, 27C in Canterbury, and 25C in Nottingham and Durham. A yellow warning was also issued for a broader stretch of the South, including London, starting from 7pm. Furthermore, a yellow warning across an even greater area will kick in on Saturday, covering most of Scotland, Wales, the west of England, and the North East.
The Met Office has warned of hail, gusty wind, and the possibility of flooding as the skies cloud over this afternoon and into the evening. While some areas covered by the warnings may end up avoiding the worst of the severe weather, some places could see torrential rain of 30-50mm in a very short space of time, before the weather begins to settle on Saturday. As reported by Sky News, Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said much of Friday would be "hot and humid" with a "small chance" the mercury could hit 30C.
If the temperature reaches 30C, it would make today the hottest day of 2025, surpassing the 29.3C recorded at Kew Gardens in west London on 1 May. This would also mean that parts of the UK could be hotter than Ibiza, Mykonos, and Los Angeles. According to Deakin, "beefy showers" were expected on Friday in Wales and the west of England after a "humid start to what will be a very warm day for some on Friday".
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first yellow heat-health alert of the year, active until 8am on Sunday in the east of England, East Midlands, London, and the South East. Under the UKHSA and the Met Office’s weather-health alerting system, a yellow alert means there could be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people. A yellow alert warns of a possible spike in vulnerable people accessing healthcare, and health risks for the over 65s and those with conditions like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
In related news, scientists have noted that while they have not assessed the role of global warming in this short-term event, in general, they expect more heavy downpours as the climate changes. This is largely because hotter air can hold more moisture, and so releases more water when it rains. The Met Office has warned that some areas may experience flash flooding, hail, and power cuts, with the public advised to stay up-to-date with the latest weather forecasts.
The weather warnings are in place as the UK prepares for a potentially severe storm season. With temperatures expected to soar over the weekend, the public is advised to take necessary precautions to stay safe. As reported by Sky News, the Met Office has warned that the storms could bring torrential rain, strong winds, and hail, with the public advised to check the weather forecast regularly for updates.
The Met Office’s severe weather warnings can be found on their website, along with the latest weather forecasts and updates. The public is advised to check the weather forecast where they are and to stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates.
