Brits are bracing themselves for an onslaught of rainfall and thunder this weekend after a burst of heat at the end of summer.
Nearly 2.8 inches of rain is expected to fall within a few hours on Saturday after unseasonably warm temperatures of 26C hit London on Thursday.
The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday, even warning of potential damage to buildings as a result of lightning strikes.
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: ‘Thundery downpours are expected to develop in places across the South on Friday afternoon bringing frequent lightning, gusty winds, hail, and spells of heavy rain.
‘The risk of thunderstorms persists into Saturday with potentially longer spells of heavy rain for some along with a continued risk of hail and lightning accompanying the most intense storms, particularly in parts of the Midlands, southern England and east Wales during Saturday afternoon and evening.’
Nearly 70mm of rain is expected to fall within a few hours on Saturday. Pictured: Traffic on the M3 motorway near Basingstoke during wet weather
The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday. Pictured: another look at the M3 near Basingstoke
Alex Deakin, a Met Office meteorologist, also said that ‘we will start to see change’ after a grey start on Friday.
‘As the cloud breaks in the South, bringing some sunshine for a time, that is then likely to spark some heavy showers come the afternoon,’ he said.
‘Over East Anglia initially, but then spreading over to parts of the Midlands, Wales and especially south-west England. Some heavy downpours are expected, thunderstorms and hailstones possible as well.’
As the high pressure pulls away to the North, the weather will turn wetter – particularly for the southern half of the UK.
The weekend will then see heavy showers and thunderstorms develop across southern areas.
Friday’s alert covers most of south-west England, the Midlands and west London, and will be in place from 12pm until 8pm.
The second warning is in place all of Saturday from 1am and covers all of Wales and south-west England, the Midlands and parts of south-east England.
Mr Armstrong continued: ‘The warnings cover the areas of the country most at risk of seeing thunderstorms but not everyone within a warning area will experience a thunderstorm. For many much of the time it will remain dry.
‘We are also expecting these showers to merge into longer spells of heavy rain on Sunday and Monday across some southern and central parts, and once the full details become clearer, we may well issue further severe weather warnings so keep up to date with the latest forecast for your area.’
Londoners battle wind and rain on Westminster Bridge on September 5
A pedestrian takes shelter underneath a brolly on Westminster Bridge on September 5
THUNDERSTORM WARNING 1 OF 2: The first warning runs from 12pm until 8pm tomorrow and covers South West England, South and Mid Wales, the West Midlands and West London
THUNDERSTORM WARNING 2 OF 2: The second warning has been issued for Saturday between 1am and midnight for a similar area that also extends all the way to North Wales
A women reads a book on Brighton beach yesterday afternoon in the warm autumn sunshine
Sunseekers head into the sea at Brighton beach yesterday as they enjoy the warm weather
And Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: ‘Driving conditions could change rapidly with very little warning and catch out weekend travellers who are less regularly exposed to bad weather driving conditions.
‘Should you get caught in these conditions, The AA is advising motorists to reduce speed and leave more space between themselves and other vehicles.
‘If you need assistance, it’s quicker to report an incident to us via our app or online than it is to call, although we are always ready to help you whichever way. And, please remember that it could take longer to reach you in these conditions.’
So far this month, the UK has seen an average 49.5mm (1.95in) of rainfall – which is typical for this time of year, Mr Stroud said.
‘Successive bands of rain’ and ‘normal conditions for autumn’ are expected next week, he added.