Thunderstorm Warnings Continue Across Parts of the UK as More Rain Is Expected

Met Office yellow weather warnings will remain in place across much of Thursday as heavy rain and thunderstorms move northwards through parts of the UK.

An earlier warning covering south-east England during the early hours has now ended. However, a wider warning covering parts of England and Wales remains in force until 22:00 BST.

Heavy downpours are expected to increase the risk of flash flooding and travel disruption, with some areas potentially receiving up to 75mm (3in) of rain. Large hail, lightning and strong, gusty winds may also accompany the storms.

The Environment Agency has issued a number of flood warnings across parts of the Midlands as a result of the unsettled weather.

Rainy conditions are expected to continue into the weekend, which is a bank holiday weekend in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Windy conditions are also likely, particularly across southern areas.

Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Moving North

Thursday began with wet conditions across southern England and south Wales. Herstmonceux in East Sussex recorded 21.4mm (0.8in) of rainfall within six hours overnight, according to the Met Office.

Thunderstorms have also spread across Wales, the Midlands and parts of eastern England, creating difficult driving conditions for people travelling during the morning commute.

The showers and thunderstorms are expected to reach northern England by early afternoon.

As the first band of heavy rain moves northwards and clears, skies are expected to become brighter, with some sunny spells developing. However, further scattered showers will remain possible.

Some of these showers could again become very heavy and thundery, creating difficult local conditions.

Rain is also expected to reach parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland later in the day. However, the northern parts of the UK are likely to escape the heaviest rainfall.

Within the Met Office yellow warning area, around 20-30mm (0.8-1.2in) of rain could fall within only a few hours, while totals could reach 50mm (2in) over a 12-hour period.

Areas of higher ground exposed to easterly winds could receive as much as 75mm (3in) of rain.

Drivers are being warned to expect hazardous conditions, with some roads potentially becoming flooded or closed and some communities at risk of being temporarily cut off.

Lightning strikes could cause power cuts, while hailstones measuring around 1-2cm (0.4-0.8in) in diameter are also possible.

The rainfall will provide some welcome relief for large parts of England and Wales that are still experiencing drought conditions. However, the hard and dry ground could increase the risk of rapid surface flooding when heavy rain arrives.

Despite the rainfall, experts say it will not be enough to end the recent dry spell. Months of sustained wet weather would be needed to significantly replenish water supplies.

Rain Could Affect Major Weekend Events

The coming weekend will feature several major festivals and high-profile events across the UK.

Reading and Leeds Festivals will both take place from Thursday through Sunday, while Creamfields in Cheshire will also run over the same period.

Manchester Pride is scheduled from Friday through the bank holiday Monday, while Notting Hill Carnival in London begins on Saturday and continues until Monday.

The weather forecast for these events is expected to be mixed, with cooler and fresher conditions, brisk winds, particularly in southern areas, and periods of rain.

A band of wet weather is forecast to move eastwards across England and Wales on Saturday. Conditions could become drier and brighter later as clearer weather spreads from the west.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be somewhat drier, with some sunny periods, although a few showers will still be possible.

More heavy showers are expected to move eastwards on Sunday, potentially affecting most parts of the UK. Some of these showers could become heavy and thundery, while wind gusts of around 40-45mph (64-72km/h) are possible across the far south-west of England later in the day.

Temperatures are expected to range from around 16C (61F) in northern Scotland to 23C (73F) in southern England, which is close to the usual temperatures for late August.

Low pressure is expected to remain in control on Monday, bringing strong winds and further showers, with the heaviest rain potentially affecting northern parts of the UK.

Forecasters say there is currently no clear indication of a return to the hot and dry conditions that have dominated much of this summer.