The UK is set to bask in the hottest temperatures of the year so far today – before thunderstorms and heavy rain bring the sunny weather to an end this evening.
The UK recorded its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, with a peak of 24.6°C in London’s St James’s Park – but that could be smashed by a 27°C forecast today.
Some were expecting to see another record-breaking day on Friday, but temperatures across the country fell just short.
But the sunny weather is on its way out – the Met Office has issued three yellow thunderstorm warnings for Wales, parts of southwest and northwest England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A “life threatening” warning has been issued for much of the UK, with parts of the thunderstorm expected to start from midday on Sunday.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “The difference [on Sunday] is that it probably won’t be as warm in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.”
The real warm air is likely to be in the south and east. Parts of England are under lockdown, with temperatures expected to reach a high of around 27C in central areas.
Mr Partridge said central and south-east England was expected to be the hottest today.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris added: “Severe showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop on Sunday morning, likely across the south-west of England and Wales, but also in the west of Northern Ireland. It could happen,” he added. It will move steadily northward into the afternoon and is “likely to develop into a larger cluster of rain before leaving Scotland in the evening”.
Heavy rain is possible in some places, with up to 30mm in less than an hour, and 40-50mm in two to three hours.Hail, frequent lightning strikes and strong wind gusts in localized areas.
Three Yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place for parts of the UK on Sunday.
Scientists have previously raised concerns that geomagnetic storms – the first to hit Earth in almost 20 years and brought the Northern Lights to the UK – could have the power to disrupt power grids, mobile networks and GPS satellites. was.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Whisson said: “The weather is likely to be sunny and warm in many places on Sunday, but as the day progresses clouds and isolated showers are expected from the west or south-west. Ta. It can be violent and accompanied by lightning. ”
“More widespread rain with a chance of thunderstorms on Monday.”
“As a result, the day will be even cooler.”Most of Wales Thunderstorms are expected in most parts of the west of England, including from midday to 10pm.
The second warning applies to the western half of Northern Ireland from 11am to 7pm.
The third alert applies to the west of Scotland and is in place from 2pm on Sunday to 4am on Monday.
Mr Partridge said this warning was a little different as more heavy rain was expected.
People in areas under yellow warnings should expect disruption, especially when traveling.
Splashing water and sudden flooding could make driving difficult and there is a slight chance of power outages, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Last week, sleep-deprived Londoners were woken up in the early hours of the morning by a massive thunderstorm ripping through the capital.
Shortly before 2am, a lightning strike damaged the roof of a care home in Elmer, West Sussex. All residents were “safely relocated” and there were no reports of fire.