Overview
- The Met Office has put yellow thunderstorm warnings in place for broad areas of England and Wales with the Wednesday alert running from 3am to 10pm and a further warning for many of the same areas from 6am to 10pm on Thursday.
- Forecasters say intense bursts are possible, with around 20–30mm of rain falling in under an hour and 40–50mm over two to three hours in some spots, plus large hail and frequent lightning.
- Authorities warn of a small chance of homes and businesses flooding quickly and of damage from floodwater, lightning or hail, with possible train and bus delays, road closures and a slight risk of power cuts.
- Agencies emphasise uncertainty over the exact locations of the heaviest rain and advise people in at-risk areas to check forecasts, prepare flood plans and secure moveable outdoor items.
- The warnings follow one of the UK's driest summers, which hardens soil and raises flash‑flood risk, and forecasters are also watching an unusual low near Portugal that has under a 20% chance of gaining subtropical characteristics this weekend.