Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms to Hit UK This Weekend

Strategic Insights -

Much of the UK is bracing itself for a dramatic weather shift this weekend as warm temperatures give way to heavy rain and thunderstorms. The Met Office has issued amber and yellow weather warnings for parts of England, Scotland, and Wales due to the intense rainfall that is expected to cause surface water flooding, frequent lightning, and hail. The heavy rain is forecast to bring between 20mm and 40mm of rain per hour in the amber warning zone, with totals reaching up to 70mm to 100mm in just a few hours.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for south-east and eastern England, covering an area from Hampshire to Kent and up to Cambridge, including all of London.
  • The warning is in place until 11am, with 20mm to 40mm of rain expected to fall in one hour and up to 70mm to 100mm in a few hours.
  • A separate yellow warning for rain is in place across most of England until tonight, and yellow warnings also cover much of Scotland from 4pm today until noon tomorrow, and south-west England from noon tomorrow until early on Monday.
  • The intense rainfall could lead to surface water flooding, frequent lightning, and hail.
  • Roads are expected to be busier than usual this weekend as schools across England and Wales break up for summer holidays, potentially disrupting travel.
  • The Met Office's chief meteorologist, Andy Page, warned that heavy rain with some thunder could create "fast-flowing or deep floodwater, causing a danger to life" in areas covered by amber warnings.
  • The recent dry weather has increased the risk of flash flooding, as torrential rain falling on hard, baked ground will run off rather than being easily soaked in.
  • Reservoir levels have continued to fall, with storage across England at 75.6 per cent, and Yorkshire's reservoir levels at 53.8 per cent due to a hosepipe ban in place.

Statistics:

  • Between 20mm and 40mm of rain could fall in one hour in the amber warning zone.
  • Up to 70mm to 100mm of rain could fall in just a few hours where heavy downpours persist.
  • The Met Office has issued amber warnings for an area covering Hampshire to Kent and up to Cambridge, including all of London.
  • Yellow weather warnings also cover much of Scotland from 4pm today until noon tomorrow, and south-west England from noon tomorrow until early on Monday.
  • Reservoir levels across England stand at 75.6 per cent.
  • In Yorkshire, where a hosepipe ban is in place, reservoir levels are at 53.8 per cent.

Sources:

  • The Met Office
  • The Met Office's chief meteorologist, Andy Page
  • Forecast (page 57)