UK weather: Thunderstorm alert issued as lightning set to hit during UK heatwave

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for thunderstorms across large swathes of the UK.

Most of southern England, the Midlands and parts of the North are covered by the yellow alert, which comes into force at 12am on Thursday and ends at 11.59pm.

The Met Office said: “Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop on Thursday and may lead to some disruption.”

It comes after yellow heat health warnings were issued across most of England by the UK Health Security Agency this week.

The UK could experience a heatwave this week before thunderstorms break, with temperatures expected to soar to 32C on Tuesday in the South East.

Much of the UK is set to experience very hot weather with increasingly humid conditions.

A heatwave threshold in the UK is only met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value, according to the Met Office. This is 25C for most of the UK but rises to 28C in London and its surrounding areas, where temperatures are typically higher.

The weather warning on Thursday is expected to cause heavy showers and thunderstorms across the country which “may lead to some disruption”, added the Met Office.

Driving conditions are set to be challenging as flash flooding and subsequent road closures are predicted.

Delays on public transport are anticipated, particularly if lightning strikes occur, and there is a possibility that power cuts will impact homes and businesses.

The Met Office said there is a small risk of fast-flowing or deep floods that will be “a danger to life”, with homes at risk of damage from the elements.

The exact locations to be affected are still uncertain and while some areas will stay dry all day, others could face torrential downpours “with the additional hazards of lightning, hail and gusty winds”.

The forecaster advises people to prepare to protect their property and people from injury, check conditions before travelling and seek shelter if caught in thunder, avoiding trees in case they are struck by lightning.