Thunderstorms and heavy showers have hit parts of the UK, particularly in southern England and Wales, with Cornwall bearing the brunt of the storms. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for these regions, warning of potential flooding and travel disruptions.
On Saturday, thunderstorms with large hail and lightning were reported in Cornwall, while areas like Wales, London, Surrey, and Oxfordshire experienced heavy showers and thunder strikes. The unsettled weather is expected to continue through the weekend, with more heavy rain predicted on Sunday, particularly in south-west England, the Midlands, and Wales.
The Met Office warns of 50-80mm of rainfall in some areas, leading to possible flash flooding. Becky Mitchell, a Met Office meteorologist, advised caution on the roads, especially in Cornwall, where tricky driving conditions have already been reported due to 30mm of rainfall.
On Friday, intense downpours caused localised flash flooding and around 8,000 lightning strikes were recorded across southern England, with a tornado confirmed in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Looking ahead, the weather is expected to remain unsettled into next week, though Scotland, Northern Ireland, and areas near the Irish Sea are likely to enjoy drier conditions with some sunshine and pleasant temperatures before the arrival of cooler autumn air.