The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across parts of England on Thursday, June 25, as the UK heatwave, which has seen temperatures approach 40°C, threatens to break. The warning is active from 6pm on Thursday.
Affected Areas
The counties and unitary authorities covered by the warning are: Cornwall, Torbay, Somerset, Devon, Dorset, and Plymouth. These areas are expected to see scattered showers and thunderstorms moving in from the southwest during the evening and night.
Met Office Statement
According to the Met Office: "After another very hot day, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to move towards southwest England during Thursday evening and night." The forecaster added: "Whilst many areas will miss them, thunderstorms may produce sudden, gusty winds with 50 to 60 mph possible. Frequent lightning, hail and heavy rain are additional hazards. Impacts are slightly more likely towards the south coast of Devon and Cornwall."
Exceptional Heat
Met Office Chief Forecaster Matthew Lehnert commented: "This is exceptional heat for June with temperature records expected to be broken this week. Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting significant impacts from this heatwave, with health issues likely, even beyond those who are more vulnerable to the heat." He added: "High humidity is an additional factor for this heatwave which will mean the heat will feel much more potent for many. When you couple all of this with the high overnight temperatures, with temperatures likely to stay above 20°C for large parts of England and Wales, these combined impacts all increase the potential for significant impacts."
BBC Weather Forecast
A BBC Weather forecast for Thursday and Friday (June 25-26) states: "Today will be sunny and hot for many. Local fog along North Sea coasts, and some patchy cloud in northern areas. Outbreaks of rain in the far north-west, these bringing a risk of thunderstorms. Outbreaks of heavy rain across Scotland will push south-eastwards, often falling torrential and with a risk of lightning. Thundery showers will also develop towards the south-west and move inland." For Friday, the forecast continues: "Outbreaks of heavy, thundery rain will linger tomorrow morning across parts of north-eastern England and eastern Scotland, becoming more widespread across Scotland through the day. Drier to the south."
Outlook for the Weekend
The outlook for Saturday to Monday (June 27-29) indicates: "Saturday is set to be a breezy and showery day in the north. Sunny spells and the odd shower further south. Westerly winds feeding in patchy cloud and lighter showers on Sunday. Drier to the east. Trending less warm. Breezy with spells of rain in the north on Monday, with variable cloud and sunny spells in the south. Dry and sunny later in the evening."
