This “blink and you miss it” heatwave is out of the way tomorrow – replaced by still warm, but less hot air. Temperatures today are climbing, already at 32C in many spots in the south east and likely to reach 33 or 34C before long. Temperatures will only slowly cool down tonight making for a muggy, uncomfortable night for many of us.
Thunderstorms? There is a growing risk of thunderstorms in parts of the country this evening and overnight. However, only a few of us will have the fortune (or misfortune) of seeing them.
The Met Office have issued a “thunderstorm” warning for parts of North East England and South East Scotland:
The warning is valid between 6pm and midnight tonight, a fairly short window of time. Although it is a “yellow” warning, the lowest on the Met Office’s warning scale – the possibility of some severe weather can not be toned down.
Although areas within the warning zone run the greatest risk, outside of the area, across other parts of Scotland and Northern England, some thunderstorms may form. These could bring heavy rain, flash flooding risk, possibly large hail. As mentioned they will be fairly isolated in nature, not everyone will see them. The risk is there though.
The risk exists exclusively in the north, especially from southern Scotland and into the far north east of England, later tonight. Think the southern uplands, eastern Scotland, Northumberland, the borders, perhaps Tyne and Wear to. Some frequent lightning, large hail and very heavy rain is more likely in these areas.
Some 40-60mm of rain may fall within a few hours here, leading to a risk of flooding. River levels are running high, so there is an enhanced risk of some river flooding. Keep an eye on your local radio stations if travelling this evening in the north, especially near the warning area.