Exact days thunderstorms and lightning are set to batter the UK with up to 70mm of rainfall expected

19 September 2024, 13:49 | Updated: 19 September 2024, 13:50

Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Friday and Saturday
Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Friday and Saturday. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Thunderstorms and lightning are set to batter the UK this week with up to 70mm of rainfall expected within a few hours after a spell of dry, warm weather.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms for Friday and Saturday, and said damage to buildings as a result of lightning strikes, disruption to public transport and flooding should be expected within the affected areas.

Friday's alert covers most of south-west England, parts of Wales, the Midlands and west London and is in place from 12pm until 8pm.

The second warning is in place all of Saturday from 1am and covers all of Wales and south-west England, the Midlands and parts of south-east England.

Read more: Britain's most prolific female shoplifter banned from stores across North East after racking up 171 convictions

Read more: Nigel Farage insists Trump will be 'proven right' about migrants eating pet cats and dogs

The weather service has warned that hail and frequent lightning could accompany the "thunderstorms and heavy showers" and that up to 70mm of rain could fall in the worst affected areas on Saturday.

The stormy weather follows a warm, dry spell as temperatures reached 25C in Inverness on Wednesday and highs of 26 are expected on Thursday, according to the forecaster.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said: "We are being spoiled by almost summer's last hurrah, but there's a bit of a change coming down the line as we move our way through towards Friday, and especially the weekend."

A "gentle decline" in temperature is expected over the weekend, with highs of 24C forecast for East Anglia on Saturday followed by low 20s in the area on Sunday, he added.

As of September 17, the UK has seen an average 49.5mm of rainfall this month - which is typical for this time of year, Mr Stroud said.

"Successive bands of rain" and "normal conditions for autumn" are expected next week, he added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

California utility says its equipment likely sparked fire that raged through LA

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 20 years

Paedophile who plied girl, 10, with alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis before grooming her for sex with other men jailed

Salim Iskef, 29, was one of ten people killed by lone gunman Rickard Andersson, 35, at Orebro's Risbergska adult education centre on Tuesday.

Heartbreaking final words of Sweden mass shooting victim shared with mum and fiancé revealed

Exclusive
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media during a visit to Springfields (Preston Lab), National Nuclear Laboratory.

UK must make it harder to buy knives online to prevent repeat of Southport killings, PM tells LBC

UK resident comes forward to claim £83m EuroMillions jackpot

UK winner comes forward to claim £83.5million EuroMillions jackpot 13 days after draw

Cold Snap Brings Freezing Temperatures To Parts Of UK

Cold health alerts issued as temperatures set to plummet over weekend as the Beast from the East returns

Lucy Letby has been described as 'dangerous, weird and whining' in jail

'Dangerous, weird and whining': Inside Lucy Letby's life behind bars

A British content creator who flew to Spain to buy olive oil has claimed his whole round trip was cheaper than buying a bottle in the UK.

‘I flew to Spain and bought olive oil for under £7.38 - that's how much a bottle costs in Britain'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Foreign Office expels Russian diplomat in retaliation amid 'spying' row

Donald Trump is reportedly set to unveil his 100-day peace plan for Ukraine next week.

Donald Trump poised to unveil '100-day' peace plan for Ukraine next week

Winter sky close to Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, Lancashire, UK.

Warmest January on record smashes global temperatures and leaves climate scientists alarmed

The clamour grows for Lucy Letby to get a retrial. Here is why I think she shouldn't.

The clamour grows for Lucy Letby to get a retrial. Here is why I think she shouldn't

Exclusive
Josh Cuthbert

X Factor star opens up about mental health struggles - and why he won't release more music

Members of a specialist British military unit who shot dead four IRA men in an ambush in Co Tyrone in 1992 used lethal force which was not justified, a coroner has ruled. (File Photo)

SAS unit ‘unjustified’ in shooting dead four IRA terrorists in ambush inquest rules

During a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump announced plans for US ownership of the Gaza Strip, declaring "the Gaza thing has never worked."

Donald Trump claims no US troops will be needed for his plan to turn Gaza Strip into 'Riviera of the Middle East’

Steve Coogan dodged a driving ban after saying it impacted his new TV show

Steve Coogan spared driving ban after plea to save new TV show