LIGHTNING, hail and thunderstorms are set to batter Brits this weekend with flood warnings issued across the UK.
Yellow weather warnings have been extended to much of the UK as thunderstorms threaten to cause flooding and disruption this weekend.
LNPDrivers navigating deep surface water on the A3 slip-road at Tolworth southwest London today[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyRunners braving the downpours this morning[/caption]
Liam Willis/pictureexclusive.comLightning above Hastings Pier in East Sussex late last night[/caption]
Following a spell of glorious sunshine, the summer hols are off to a wet and windy start.
The Met Office has issued four yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms with fast water risking a danger to life in some areas.
Warnings for south-west England, Northern Ireland and Scotland have put in place alongside one already issued for large parts of northern, eastern and southern England.
The warning will be in place between 6pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday.
The office says that there is a slight chance of power cuts and a loss of other services to some homes and businesses as well as flooding, building damage, travel disruption and road closures.
There’s also a small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life for parts of the country including Cornwall and south-west Wales, central and east England.
Some places could see up to 75mm of rain in just a few hours and heavy showers are expected to continue until Wednesday.
Motorists have been urged to take care as “difficult” driving conditions are predicted too.
National Highways advised drivers to take caution on the roads this weekend and frequently check traffic conditions.
Chief Met Office meteorologist Andy Page said: “The intense rainfall could lead to surface water flooding as well as frequent lightning and hail too.
“This weekend is expected to be busy on the roads as more schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays, so it’s important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.
“There will be spells of more pleasant weather in parts of the UK through the weekend, with some sunny spells in between systems as they move through.”
LNPThe Met Office has issues four weather warnings across the UK[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskThere are four yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms[/caption]
In south-west England on Saturday, some areas could see up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours and up to 75mm for some areas.
Up to 30mm of rain could fall in less than an hour in central and east England.
Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms may develop across Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere in the UK, Northern Ireland, from Derry down to Tyrone, scattered showers will turn heavier with the chance of a few thunderstorms and up to 20mm of rain in an hour in some places.
Showers are expected to ease towards the evening.
Scotland will see areas of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms arriving from the south during Saturday afternoon.
Some places will see “persistent rain building up” particularly on south-east facing areas of high ground.
And up to 75mm of rain could fall in just a few hours.
The Environment Agency has put 27 flood alerts in place for the next five days with surface water flooding impacts possible across much of England on Saturday and isolated river flooding impacts possible albeit unexpected.
The agency said impacts were possible across parts of south-west England from Sunday until Monday.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 16 flood alerts for most of the country.
This follows the amber weather warning which was issued for parts of the UK up until 11am on Saturday morning warning of dangerous thunderstorms.
Despite torrential downpours and thunderstorms for much of the UK this weekend, temperatures will remain warm.
Figures are forecast to remain in the high 20Cs across the weekend before dropping slightly toward the beginning of next week.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly, said: “More warnings could be issued for the weekend and early next week. Keep an eye on the Met Office forecast for updates as the picture develops.
“Within the warm and humid airmass we will potentially see temperatures reaching 30°C or more for parts of eastern England by Friday, with very warm and muggy conditions continuing into the weekend in parts of central and southern England.”
Next week, the weather will still be unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms at times.
UK five day weather forecast
Today
Heavy, thundery rain moves north this morning, reaching Scotland by the afternoon. Torrential downpours may cause difficult conditions in places. Scattered showers follow across England and Wales, with thicker cloud and rain in the southwest later. Fresher, but still humid.
Tonight
Rain, heavy in places across the southwest will spread slowly east overnight, reaching much of Wales and southern England by dawn. Rain, thundery at times will continue across northern areas.
Sunday
Remaining unsettled on Sunday with showers or longer spells of rain, some heavy and thundery in places. Fresher than recent days but still warm particularly in any sunny spells.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday
Low pressure lingers into early next week, keeping conditions unsettled with sunny spells and heavy showers. Showers will gradually ease by Wednesday, with temperatures staying close to the seasonal average.
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