The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms as the recent UK heatwave comes to a dramatic close. Thunderstorms are set to hit Scotland and parts of north-east England, with rain, strong winds, and the potential for surface water flooding.
The alert, covering areas including Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Edinburgh, will be in place from 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesday. The heatwave, which saw record-breaking temperatures across the UK, will be replaced by cooler conditions accompanied by showers and thunderstorms.
Stormy weather arrives as heatwave subsides
According to the Met Office, parts of north-east England and south-east Scotland will experience heavy showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday.
These will develop throughout the morning, clearing eastwards into the North Sea by the afternoon. In some areas, rain could accumulate rapidly, with as much as 15-20 mm falling within the span of an hour, potentially leading to surface water flooding.
As the showers move east, strong winds are expected to develop, particularly on the western flank of the storm, with gusts of up to 40 mph possible for a brief period. The severe weather could cause disruptions, including hazardous driving conditions due to spray and standing water, and the risk of flooding in some properties.
The storm is forecast to cause delays to train services, with some short-term power outages and other services likely to be affected. Despite these challenges, the weather will provide some respite from the extreme temperatures that saw the UK’s hottest day of the year on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching 34.7°C at St James’s Park in London.
Heatwave records set before stormy weather
The heatwave, which has now ended, saw parts of the UK experience their second heatwave in less than a month. The country recorded its warmest June on record, with provisional figures confirming that England experienced its highest-ever June temperatures. This was only surpassed by June 2023, which recorded similarly scorching conditions.
Meteorologists have also pointed to the link between rising temperatures and human-induced climate change, with scientists claiming that the likelihood of such extreme heat events has increased significantly. According to climate studies, human-caused climate change made this recent heatwave 100 times more likely.
Looking ahead, the UK is expected to see a marked change in the weather, with cooler temperatures forecast for the remainder of the week. While northern regions will experience continued rainfall and brisk winds, the southern parts will see drier conditions and brief spells of sunshine.
