Heavy, thundery showers are sweeping across the United Kingdom, signaling an end to a prolonged dry spell and bringing the risk of flash flooding. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, cautioning that areas could see 15-20mm of rain in just one hour, with up to 50mm possible over a six-hour period.
These downpours pose a particular risk of flash flooding, especially in regions where the ground has become hardened by the recent hot and dry weather. Lightning and hail are also expected to accompany the storms, adding to the hazardous conditions. Showers are forecast to begin easing from the north during the morning, migrating southwards into central and southern England and Wales. Some of these southern showers could still be heavy and thundery. The intensity of the rainfall will vary, with some locations experiencing significantly more rain than others.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will also see showers, though they are expected to be less intense with a lower likelihood of thunder.
The shift in weather patterns follows an extended period of dry weather that has impacted landscapes across the UK, leaving large areas parched. Satellite imagery and aerial views have shown significant browning of grasslands and parklands due to the drought conditions. People have been observed walking across scorched grass, highlighting the effects of the heatwave.
Temperatures are expected to be cooler than those experienced during the recent heatwave, with forecasts showing a range from 12C in Lerwick to 21C in Plymouth and London.
