UK weather forecast: Thunderstorms and heavy rain warnings issued before temperatures soar into 30s
Met Office predicts ‘thundery downpours’ until Saturday, before sunshine returns for hot spell next week
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Your support makes all the difference.Much of Britain is braced for heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms over the next few days, the Met Office has warned.
The weather service issued a “yellow” emergency alert for rain in the south of Wales, where the torrential downpours could disrupt bus and train services on Friday.
Forecasters also warned drivers across the UK to take care on the potentially slippery roads, especially across the south – set to see heavy and persistent rain from Thursday night until Saturday.
The wet and stormy weather will give way to clear, blue skies next week, however, when temperatures could climb as high as 32C in some parts of the country.
“There are signs of some hotter weather on the way,” said Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin, before warning: “We are going to see some wetter weather through the rest of this week, especially on Friday and Saturday.”
He added: “Heavy, thundery downpours will develop on Friday afternoon, with the potential for large hail as an extra hazard on the roads as well. Saturday is a day of heavy showers breaking out across the UK.”
Temperatures will fall from highs of 26C on Thursday to 22C on Friday, before climbing again to around 23C on Saturday.
On Sunday the unsettled conditions will clear. Despite some showers in the north-west, most of the country expected to enjoy dry and bright weather.
According to the Met Office, a jet stream coming in across the Atlantic will bring high pressure to southern and eastern parts of the UK early next week, resulting in dry, sunny and warm weather.
A return of the hot air plume coming from France and Spain could boost temperatures even further in the south of England. London could see the mercury reach 32C on Tuesday, according to the Met Office.
While northern and western parts of Britain could see temperatures hit the high 20s, rain showers are expected to persist in some areas.
“There is a likelihood that some parts of the UK could see a hot spell next week,” said Mr Deakin. “[But] there will be a big contrast between the south east, where it could be hot, and the north west, where it will be cooler and potentially wetter.”
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