The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert for thunderstorms in parts of East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and the East of England this Sunday, warning of potential disruptions to transport and daily activities.
The stormy conditions come ahead of another possible heatwave towards the end of next week, with temperatures set to rise again, possibly exceeding 30°C. The Met Office is forecasting a mixed weather pattern for this weekend, with some regions expecting heavy rain, hail, and thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, other parts of the UK will experience cooler conditions, with overcast skies and occasional showers. However, as the week progresses, temperatures are expected to climb again, setting the stage for a third potential heatwave of the summer.
Thunderstorms to Disrupt Travel in Parts of the UK
According to the Met Office, the yellow warning for thunderstorms will be in place from 7am to 7pm on Sunday, primarily affecting the East of England.
The unsettled weather could bring up to two inches of rain, with electric storms and hail likely to create hazardous driving conditions. Public transport networks may also face disruptions due to poor visibility and slippery roads.
Although the warning primarily affects eastern regions, the weather system is expected to spread across the country, with showery rain persisting into Monday, particularly in the north and east.
As Marco Petagna, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, explained:
“The headline is a changeable theme to the next couple of days and then the weather will become more settled as we go into next week. It could well reach heatwave criteria again across England and Wales towards the end of next week. In the short term, it’s quite a mixed picture. There’s a lot of cloud around, and bits and pieces of showery rain around.”
Heatwave Conditions Forecast by the End of Next Week
Beyond the storms, there is a potential for a heatwave by the end of next week. Petagna pointed out that temperatures across England and Wales are likely to climb back into the low 30s by next weekend, which would meet the criteria for a heatwave—defined as three consecutive days of temperatures above regional benchmarks.
However, the Met Office also noted that the exact length and intensity of the warm spell remain uncertain, with humidity expected to rise, making conditions feel more uncomfortable, particularly at night.
As Petagna cautioned:
“It looks like we will meet heatwave criteria again by the end of the week. The main uncertainty is how warm it does become and how long the increase in temperature lasts for.”
