After days of scorching heat, the UK is bracing for a dramatic shift in weather as thunderstorms and torrential rain are set to sweep across the country. According to Express.co.uk, new forecasts show intense rainfall hitting 25 counties in England, with the heaviest downpours expected on the evening of Saturday, June 21. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms, warning of potential hazards including frequent lightning, gusty winds, and large hail.
From Sweltering Sun to Sudden Storms: The Weekend Weather Rollercoaster
The transition from a prolonged period of dry, hot conditions — with some regions experiencing temperatures exceeding 34°C — to violent storms will be stark. Weather maps from WXCharts display a wide band of rainfall expected to fall over a significant part of England, stretching from Edinburgh in the north to Southampton in the south.
Cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle are projected to receive up to 1.5mm of rain per hour, based on current radar data. These showers, initially light, may intensify rapidly during the evening hours.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley explained the mixed conditions, noting:
“Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where, despite somewhat lower temperatures, the air will be more humid.”
This humidity, combined with atmospheric instability, is expected to fuel the development of severe thunderstorms, particularly in north Wales, northern England, and southern Scotland. According to Holley,
“While Saturday will be a dry and fine day for many, a few showers or thunderstorms will be possible across northern and western parts of the UK, with an increasing risk of some intense thunderstorms developing across portions of north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, which could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning, gusty winds and possibly large hail.”
Much of the morning and early afternoon is forecast to remain dry and sunny, offering a brief opportunity for residents to enjoy the warmth before conditions deteriorate.
Counties Under Alert: Where the Rain Will Hit
The Met Office’s yellow warning covers a broad area, with the following 25 counties in England expected to experience rainfall and possibly electrical storms:
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Durham
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Northamptonshire
- Lincolnshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- Staffordshire
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- Wiltshire
- Yorkshire
These regions are forecast to receive the most significant rainfall, particularly between 3pm Saturday and 4am Sunday. Local residents are advised to monitor official weather updates and plan accordingly.
Public Advised to Remain Vigilant Amid Storm Warning
While the yellow warning is not the highest alert level, the severity of localised thunderstorms could still result in flooding, transport delays, and power outages, particularly in urban centres. Emergency services and local authorities may be on alert in areas prone to poor drainage or flash floods.
Residents are urged to remain aware of weather updates throughout the day, especially in the counties listed. While the storm may bring relief from the heat, it also poses a risk of short-term disruption and property damage in the hardest-hit areas.