A 10-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms will affect Birmingham and the West Midlands on Monday, 12 May. The Met Office has forecast heavy downpours, hail and lightning from midday until 10pm, with a risk of disruption.
While temperatures remain above seasonal averages, forecasters are urging caution due to the potential for sudden, intense rainfall and localised flooding. The Met Office has placed Birmingham and large parts of the West Midlands under a yellow weather warning as storm conditions are expected to develop throughout Monday.
The alert, valid from midday to 10pm, highlights the likelihood of heavy rain, hail and thunder, which could result in temporary travel disruptions, localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
This forecast follows a period of unseasonably warm temperatures, with highs of up to 25°C recorded over the weekend. While these warmer conditions persist, the convergence of humidity and unstable air masses is expected to fuel convective activity across the region.
Thunderstorms to Bring Hail and Potential Travel Disruption
According to the Met Office, residents should prepare for scattered heavy showers, some of which may be accompanied by lightning and large hail. “Locally very heavy downpours with hail and thunder a possibility but some places remaining dry,” the forecast states.
Commuters are advised to check travel updates throughout the day as road spray and sudden surface water may lead to slower journey times.
Network operators have also been placed on alert, as isolated lightning strikes may pose risks to rail infrastructure and electricity supply lines. While not classified as severe weather, the conditions fall within the yellow warning category, indicating a low likelihood but high-impact scenario.
Dry and Settled Conditions Expected to Return Midweek
Despite the unsettled conditions forecast for Monday, the broader weather outlook indicates a return to more stable conditions from Tuesday onwards. According to the Met Office, a strengthening area of high pressure will settle over the UK, bringing dry, sunny weather and relatively cooler nights for much of the week.
“Plenty of strong sunshine and feeling warm for the time of year albeit rather cool overnight.” the agency said in its regional outlook. Temperatures are expected to remain around 25°C during the day, with overnight lows around 10°C, typical of early summer patterns.
This transition from volatile to calm weather underscores the dynamic nature of spring in the UK, where rapid shifts between high-pressure ridges and brief low-pressure systems often lead to such sudden meteorological contrasts.
