Yellow warnings remain in force as rain and thunderstorms hit parts of UK
A Met Office yellow warning for thunderstorms is active until 22:00 BST, covering large parts of England and Wales. Heavy rain of 20-30 mm in an hour could trigger flash flooding and travel disruption.
A Met Office yellow warning for thunderstorms remains in force until 22:00 BST, covering northern and eastern Wales, north-west England, the Midlands, and parts of eastern and southern England. The warning warns of heavy rain capable of 20-30 mm in an hour, with flash flooding and travel disruption possible.
Wednesday's Wettest Areas
The Met Office has amended the warning early Wednesday to include a large swathe of England and Wales. After an early cloud and rain spell, sunny periods will appear, but scattered thundery downpours are expected in the afternoon. In some locations, 20-30 mm of rain could fall within just one hour, and 40-50 mm could accumulate over a few hours. The ground, still hard after a prolonged dry spell, may not absorb the water, raising flash-flood risk. Roads could close, and large hail and frequent lightning are possible.
Northern Ireland will see some showers, though less intense with fewer thunderstorms. Most of Scotland will stay dry, with only a few showers likely in the south-west later.
Thursday's Thunderstorm Outlook
A second yellow warning is in place for Thursday, valid from 06:00 until 22:00 BST, again affecting mainly England and Wales. Widespread rainfall totals of 20-30 mm are expected within three hours, and some areas could see 50 mm in the same timeframe. A small chance exists that eastern-facing hills may record 75 mm over 12 hours, heightening flood risk. Gusty winds may accompany the storms, especially in southern England on Thursday morning. Showers may reach southern Scotland and Northern Ireland but are likely to weaken as they drift northward.
Impact on Dry Southern Regions
Despite recent unsettled weather, some southern parts of the UK have seen very little rain this August. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire has recorded only 0.4 mm so far this month, less than 1 % of the normal August total. In July it received 1 mm. Kew Gardens recorded no rain in July and only 1.8 mm so far this month. The upcoming rain is therefore likely to far outstrip recent totals in these areas.
| Location | Rainfall so far August | July rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Brize Norton, Oxfordshire | 0.4 mm | 1 mm |
| Kew Gardens | 1.8 mm | 0 mm |
Why Apps Miss Storms
Storms are often hit-and-miss. Some places may experience flooding downpours while nearby areas stay dry. Weather apps, including the BBC Weather app, can struggle to pinpoint exactly where and when the biggest storms will spring up. Forecasters know that warm humid air across the UK interacting with a colder air mass from the west creates low pressure and instability, but the computer models that drive the apps cannot always predict the precise locations of the heaviest rain. Some storms may even occur at night, so they may not appear in daily weather icons. Checking hourly symbols and the percentage chances of rain can help plan outdoor activities.
The Met Office continues to monitor the situation and will update warnings as necessary.
