UK thunderstorms to bring up to 40mm of rain in two hours amid flash flood warnings
The Met Office has issued yellow UK thunderstorm warnings for parts of northern England, northeast Wales, and the Scottish Borders, with a forecast of up to 40mm of rain within two hours, frequent lightning, hail, and gusty winds. The warning remains in place until 03:00 BST Sunday. Southern and central England, meanwhile, remain under an amber heat-health alert, with daytime highs reaching 28°C and overnight temperatures staying uncomfortably high for vulnerable groups. The contrast in conditions raises the risk of localised flash flooding, commuter disruption, and potential power outages, especially in urban and low-lying areas. Local authorities have begun preparing emergency drainage clearance and issuing travel advice. The Met Office has asked people to plan journeys carefully and avoid driving through floodwater.
Read a WTX News report on UK weather
🔁 Reactions:
- Government (Met Office/X): “Thunderstorms may bring intense rainfall in a short period, stay weather-aware and follow alerts.”
- Opposition (Green MP Caroline Lucas): “Our infrastructure is still unprepared for these extremes, this is climate volatility made visible.”
- Viral/Public (UK commuter post): > “Flooded platform AGAIN at Leeds station… British summer bingo: sunburn and sandbags in the same hour.”
📰 Bias Snapshot:
- Sky News focuses on practical warnings and Met Office guidance with maps and commuter impact breakdowns.
- BBC Weather provides a broader seasonal context, linking the storm risk to the ongoing heatwave and unusual atmospheric patterns.
- The Guardian highlights the growing frequency of ‘tropical-style’ downpours in the UK and urges faster resilience upgrades.
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative.
