UK (Parliament Politic Magazine) – Thunderstorms have struck various parts of the UK while a hot weather warning remains in effect for regions across England. On Saturday, heavy showers followed a muggy start in many areas, with temperatures reaching nearly 30C in some parts of the southeast.
The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm alert, covering most of England and Scotland since 09:00 BST, cautioning about potential flooding. Rainfall also disrupted play at both Wimbledon and the men’s Ashes.
Earlier this week, the UK government’s Health Security Agency and the Met Office issued a yellow heat-health alert for six regions in England: London, the South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Warnings of Heavy Showers And Thunderstorms All Over UK
The alert, which is set to continue until 09:00 on Sunday, was swiftly followed by warnings of heavy showers, thunderstorms, and potential flash flooding.
The Met Office’s yellow thunderstorm warning came into effect at 09:00 on Saturday in various parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. It will remain in place until 23:59. Additionally, a separate warning has been issued for the entirety of Northern Ireland, spanning from 10:00 to 21:00 on Sunday. The heavy showers all over the UK could disrupt the daily routine of the locals.
Typically, a Met Office yellow warning for thunderstorms indicates a slight possibility of rapid flooding in homes and businesses, as well as the potential isolation of communities due to floodwater. Public transportation in affected areas may also face cancellations.
According to BBC Weather’s Simon King, the areas most at risk are expected to be located in east Wales, England, and southeastern Scotland.
Different Parts Of The UK Get Affected By The Bad Weather
According to the latest report from the Met Office, thunder and rain have made their presence known in Lincoln, situated in the East Midlands, as well as in York in the northeast of England, and Carlisle, which sits right on the border with Scotland.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, festival-goers attending the second day of the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow were given a heads-up about the weather conditions. They were advised to brace themselves for warm spells of 24C, accompanied by strong winds and thundery downpours.
Unfortunately, the Tiree Music Festival, which is typically held off the west coast of the country, had to be called off due to the relentless gale-force winds that swept through the area. The unpredictable weather has also wreaked havoc on public events in England, with two major sporting events being significantly impacted.
At Wimbledon, located in south-west London, showers have disrupted play. However, there is some good news on the horizon, as BBC Weather’s Simon King predicts that the showers will gradually ease later this afternoon, giving way to an increase. Despite the heavy thunderstorms the heat wave continues in the UK.
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Sports Events Get Canceled In Parts of UK Due To Heavy Thunderstorms
As the sixth day of the tennis tournament commenced, several early matches, which started at 11:00, were halted due to heavy rain pouring down on the outdoor courts. In the men’s Ashes at Headingley, Leeds, the play could only commence at 16:45 due to persistent rain causing disruptions on the third day of the cricket series.
According to BBC Weather’s Stav Danaos, Sunday will bring drier conditions for most of the UK, although there will still be intermittent showers accompanied by sunny intervals. There is a possibility of rain in the morning across southeast England and East Anglia, with some of it potentially turning thundery as it moves northeastward.
The forecaster also mentioned that the primary focus of heavy showers and thunderstorms on Sunday will be in Northern Ireland. Compared to Saturday, it is anticipated that the UK will experience cooler and fresher weather with reduced humidity.
The Met Office has issued a 48-hour heat alert encompassing the entire UK for this upcoming weekend. In collaboration with the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), forecasters are urging British citizens to prioritize their safety under the scorching sun during the following days. Although the heatwave may be of brief duration, it is crucial for vulnerable individuals to be aware of the potentially severe health implications they might face.