THE MET Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms this weekend, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours.
The alert signals the arrival of severe weather, bringing the risk of flooding, hail, and lightning strikes across the UK.
Brits are urged to be prepared as intense storms are set to hit several regions, sparking concerns of widespread disruption.
The weather warnings will affect several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England, until 5am Sunday morning.
There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday.
The Met Office has highlighted the risk of “fast flowing or deep floodwater” that could endanger lives, with some communities potentially becoming cut off due to flooding.
During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours.
This will bring major disruption, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages.
The Met Office also warned of the potential for strong winds, reaching up to 50mph, which could exacerbate the impact of the storms.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin commented that the day would start off “hot and humid,” with some areas of the country potentially seeing temperatures climb as high as 30°C.
However, conditions will soon change, with thunderstorms beginning around 2pm in Wales and the South West, spreading to other areas later in the day.
Parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures remain as high as 28°C on Friday evening, though the heat will quickly give way to more unsettled weather.
With 30–50mm of rain expected in some areas before the storms ease early on Saturday, residents across Greater London, Plymouth, Bath, Brighton, Norwich, and parts of the South East are advised to remain alert.
Cardiff and other southern regions could experience the heaviest downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to 80mm of rain.
This level of rainfall is likely to cause significant surface water flooding, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to the risk of accidents.
The situation has already caused significant flooding in parts of the South West, particularly in Plymouth, where local residents battled knee-deep water.
The storms have already resulted in closures, with some roads, such as Gdynia Way and Kings Street, shut down due to flooding.
The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has also closed its doors as a result of flood damage.
James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of TRP, stated: “The torrential rain has required us to close the Theatre Royal today as we continue to deal with a significant flood into our basement.
Our priority is the safety of our staff, our artists, visitors and participants.”
In addition to the potential flooding, strong winds of up to 50mph are expected to cause problems along coasts and hills, further complicating the situation for drivers and emergency services.
Local authorities have advised caution when travelling, particularly in affected areas, as there may be delays and possible cancellations to train and bus services.
The disruption could continue into the weekend, particularly in areas where floodwater lingers.
The Met Office has issued a warning about the increased risk of power cuts, especially in areas where storms bring lightning strikes.
Residents are urged to be prepared for the possibility of service interruptions, with some homes and businesses potentially losing power due to the extreme weather.
This follows Friday’s amber weather warning for thunderstorms, hail, and lightning strikes.
The public is encouraged to monitor the weather closely and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.
