Thunder and lightning expected to hit parts of UK on Friday and Saturday

Met Office issues two yellow weather warnings, saying damage to buildings and transport disruption expected

The UK is set to experience severe thunderstorms and lightning, with up to 70mm of rainfall expected in just a few hours following a period of dry, warm weather.

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday, indicating potential damage from lightning strikes, disruptions to public transport, and flooding in affected areas.

Friday's warning is active from 12 PM to 8 PM, covering much of south-west England, parts of Wales, the Midlands, and west London. The second warning will take effect from 1 AM Saturday, affecting all of Wales, south-west England, the Midlands, and parts of south-east England.

The weather service has noted that hail and frequent lightning may accompany the thunderstorms and heavy showers, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Saturday.

This stormy weather follows a warm spell, with temperatures reaching 25°C in Inverness on Wednesday and the same high recorded in south-east England on Thursday, according to the forecaster.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud commented, “We are enjoying almost summer’s last hurrah, but a change is on the way as we approach Friday and especially the weekend.”

He noted that a “gentle decline” in temperature is expected, with highs of 24°C forecast for East Anglia on Saturday, followed by low 20s on Sunday.

As of September 17, the UK has recorded an average rainfall of 49.5mm this month, which is typical for this time of year. Stroud added that successive bands of rain and more typical autumn conditions are anticipated for the following week.