The Met Office has recently issued an amber warning for severe thunderstorms, including intense rainfall, frequent lightning, hail, and gusty winds, moving into the UK on Friday night and into Saturday. This warning comes as yellow thunderstorm warnings are also in place across various parts of the country, indicating the potential for disruption in multiple areas.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Ramsdale, stated that thunderstorms developing in the warm, humid air over northern France are expected to move into southeast England and East Anglia. These storms could bring very frequent lightning, hail, and intense downpours of rain with gusty winds, potentially leading to surface water flooding, especially in urban areas. The amber severe weather warning covers parts of the South East and East Anglia, where 30-50mm of rain could fall in a short period of time, along with strong winds, hail, and lightning that could disrupt power supplies.

Additional yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place for large parts of southern England and Wales. While these warnings highlight areas at risk of thunderstorms, not everyone within the warning area will experience them, as some regions may remain dry.

Furthermore, a yellow warning has been issued for Saturday, encompassing southwest England, Wales, and significant portions of northern England, where more thunderstorms are anticipated.

Temperatures Reaching Peak Levels

Temperatures are set to peak today, with highs in the high 20s °C expected widely, and the possibility of reaching 29 °C in parts of eastern England. Following another warm night, particularly in the east, where temperatures may remain between 14-16 °C, a cooler airmass will move in by Sunday, resulting in a noticeable drop in temperatures across much of the UK.

Yellow Heat Health Alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency, running until 8 am on Sunday, covering the East Midlands, London, the South East, and broader eastern areas. These alerts are issued when temperatures could impact people's health and lead to increased healthcare service utilization by vulnerable individuals.

Weekend Weather Outlook

A few showers are expected in parts of the south and east on Sunday, with patchy rain in some western and northern regions, but no significant impacts are foreseen.

Stay informed about weather warnings by checking the latest forecast on the Met Office website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms. You can also download the mobile app, available for iPhone and Android devices, to receive updates on the go.