Two additional yellow weather alerts have been issued for thunderstorms, potentially bringing large hailstones to millions of Britons. Despite record-breaking temperatures during the recent heatwave, reaching a high of 38C today, parts of the UK have also experienced stormy conditions.
The Met Office has issued two yellow warnings for thunderstorms in Scotland. The first warning is in effect from 3pm until midnight today, while a broader warning covers all of Scotland on Friday. The forecast includes lightning, heavy rain, and the possibility of significant hailstones up to 4cm in diameter.
According to the Met Office, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to spread across northwest Scotland on Friday, becoming more widespread throughout the day. The warning mentions the potential for rainfall ranging from 20-30 mm in one hour and up to 30-50 mm in three hours, accompanied by lightning, large hailstones, and locally strong winds.
As the heatwave persists, a red warning for extreme heat remains active. Temperatures soared to 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire, breaking the previous June record set in 1976. The Met Office anticipates that the high temperatures could surpass the current record, with the heatwave continuing into Friday.
Moreover, there are amber and red extreme heat warnings in place as the exceptional heat moves northward. Red warnings have been issued for various regions, including London, the south coast, Swansea, Somerset, and Birmingham. The forecaster predicts potential disruptions to daily life, with the possibility of temperatures reaching up to 39C, making it one of the hottest days on record in the UK.
The prevailing weather conditions, influenced by a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe, have led to the emergence of extreme weather patterns across the continent. Additionally, a yellow warning for thunderstorms is in effect for southwest England until the end of the day.
Overall, the combination of scorching temperatures, thunderstorm warnings, and the ongoing heatwave presents a challenging weather scenario for residents across the UK.