Thunderstorms set to hit after record dry spell – UK weather

What Happened

A yellow weather warning has been issued for thunderstorms, with the potential to cause flooding in parts of England and Wales, according to the Met Office.

The warning, in place from 12:00 to 22:00 BST on Monday, applies to areas including Wales, the Midlands, the West of England, London, and the South East. Forecasters say as much as 50mm (1.9 inches) of rain could fall in just a few hours.

These intense downpours could lead to localised flooding, disruption to travel, and delays or cancellations to bus and train services.

This comes after what has been England’s driest start to spring in 69 years, as reported by the Environment Agency earlier this month. Several areas — including Preston in Lancashire and parts of Fife — have seen virtually no rainfall since mid-April.

What Next

Showers are expected to move in from the south during the early hours of Monday, but temperatures will remain fairly mild, generally staying in the high teens or low 20s Celsius.

The Met Office has warned of a risk of flash flooding and minor localised issues due to the sudden heavy rainfall. However, the unsettled spell is likely to be short-lived.

Sunshine and more stable conditions are forecast to return later in the week, with temperatures potentially reaching 23°C in some parts of the country.

Despite this temporary change in weather, concerns remain about the longer-term outlook. The Environment Agency recently urged water companies to do more to protect water supplies amid ongoing dry conditions. According to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, large parts of the country are currently classed as ‘extremely dry’ on its three-month Drought Index.

Media Reactions

BBC News says the warning covers areas including Wales, the Midlands, west of England, London and the South East from 12:00 BST to 22:00 on Monday, the Met Office said.

GB News says, just yesterday, Britons were urged to stay inside as temperatures soared across the country with England reaching highs of 25C. Thermometers reached 25C in no fewer than 10 locations in England at 3pm.

Sky News says the UK has this month seen the warmest start to May on record – but the sunshine is set to give way to showers for much of England and Wales on Monday.

Metro says the stormy weather follows heavy showers today, mainly affecting the West Country, South Wales and parts of the West Midlands.