The UK is facing more weather challenges as two additional yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms have been issued, potentially bringing large hailstones to the region. Following record-breaking temperatures during the recent heatwave, forecasters are cautioning that temperatures could soar even higher to 38C. While the heatwave persists, storms have already hit various parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued two yellow warnings for thunderstorms in Scotland, one running from 3pm until midnight today, and a larger warning covering the entirety of Scotland on Friday. In addition to lightning and heavy rain, there is a possibility of significant hailstones up to 4cm in diameter.
According to the Met Office’s Friday warning, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to spread across northwest Scotland on Friday morning, becoming more widespread throughout the day. The warning highlights the potential for variable rainfall amounts, with the likelihood of narrow corridors experiencing 20-30 mm falling in 1 hour and up to 30-50 mm in 3 hours. The forecast also includes the possibility of frequent lightning, large hail with diameters of 2-4 cm, and locally gusty winds.
The ongoing heatwave has already broken temperature records, with Gosport, Hampshire reaching 36.1C, surpassing the previous June record from 1976. The heatwave is expected to persist into Friday, with the Met Office suggesting that the temperature record could be broken once again. The forecast indicates that the extreme heat will extend northwards on Thursday, with amber and red extreme heat warnings in effect for certain areas.
Red warnings for extreme heat have been issued for several regions in the UK until late Thursday, with potential disruptions to daily life. If temperatures reach 39C, it would mark the second-hottest day on record in the UK. Even if temperatures hit 38C, it would still rank among the top five hottest days ever recorded and exceed any day in the 20th century, leading to health warnings, school closures, and transportation disruptions.
In addition to the heatwave, a yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued for southwest England, effective from 6pm today. These weather conditions are influenced by a “heat-dome” phenomenon settling over western Europe, causing extreme weather patterns across the continent.