Thunderstorms Set to Crash UK’s Sizzling Heatwave
After basking in the warmest spit of 2024, parts of England and Wales are bracing for a blast of thunder and lightning. The Met Office has warned of stormy skies hitting from Wednesday 31 July, with thunder expected to rumble well into Thursday.
Yellow Warning Issued for South East England
Neil Armstrong, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Wednesday’s thunderstorm Yellow warning covers a wide strip of southeastern England, from Hampshire to Essex, including London and the Home Counties. While many areas will stay dry, a few could face fierce thunderstorms with frequent lightning and heavy downpours.”
Daytime temperatures could still soar between 30-32°C in central and southern England plus eastern Wales, coupled with sticky humidity. Armstrong added the heat hotspot has shifted further west. Northern England will see milder highs in the mid-20s°C, with Scotland and Northern Ireland dipping to the low 20s or high teens.
Thursday Storm Warning for Most of England and Wales
Thursday sees a widespread Yellow thunderstorm warning covering almost all of England and Wales, sparing only the far southwest and northwest regions. Dan Holley, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, warned: “The biggest storm impacts will hit central, southern, and southeast England, with some places expecting torrential rain, large hail, and frequent lightning. Some areas could face a deluge of 50-100mm in just a few hours.”
Be Ready for Last-Minute Updates
The Met Office cautions some thunderstorm warnings might appear at short notice as the storm cells develop. The sweltering heatwave will stick around until Friday when cooler air begins to ease the temps. Thunderstorms may linger locally in eastern or southeastern England but won’t be as intense as Wednesday or Thursday.
