UK weather: Met Office issues ‘severe’ thunderstorm warning with heavy rain – but glorious 33C sun is on the way
BRITS have been warned of “severe thunderstorms” and heavy rain across the weekend – but temperatures are due to hit 33C.
Met Office forecasters revealed parts of the UK are due to be battered by downpours and fierce winds over the weekend as we feel the ripple effects of Storm Debby.
However, a short-lived spell of hot weather is also predicted with the mercury set to rise as high as 33C in certain areas of England and Wales.
The Met Office has issued a heat health warning along with the UKHSA, particularly targeted to those aged 65 and over, or anyone with a medical condition made worse by rising temperatures.
Sunday and Monday are expected to be the warmest days, with highs predicted to reach 33C in London, 26C in Manchester, 22C in Glasgow and 21C in Belfast.
The UK Health Security Agency warned the worst affected areas will be in London, South East, South West, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands.
The heat health warning is set to last for three days and comes into force from 9am on Sunday, August 11, until 9am on Tuesday, August 13.
“Significant impacts are possible across the health and social care sector due to the high temperatures, including: observed increase in mortality across the population likely, particularly in the 65+ age group or those with health conditions,” the notice reads.
It adds: “But impacts may also be seen in younger age groups; increased demand for remote healthcare services likely; and internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment.”
Meanwhile Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to feel figures in the high teens and low 20s.
Warm air will move up from Europe on Saturday and continue through to Monday.
But, by Tuesday temperatures will return to their seasonal average for this time of year, the Met Office said.
The spike in warmth is partly due to Storm Debby, which rocked parts of the US earlier this week.
It will shift the jet stream – a current of strong winds in the atmosphere which has a significant influence on UK weather – further south.
But this weather pattern could also trigger “severe thunderstorms” and periods of torrential rain over the weekend.
Today’s forecast shows a wet and cloudy start across the south and east of England but conditions are set to improve throughout the day.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicky Maxey said: “The hot spell is short-lived but quite intense.”
She added: “Temperatures are due to peak on Monday and rapidly return to average on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
The weekend is predicted to kick off cloudy and humid in the south, with bright spells and intermittent showers in the north.
But brits can look forward to a sunny afternoon and figures hovering in the 20s across England and Wales.
The high temperatures will also see a rise in pollen count throughout the country, along with high UV levels.
The Met Office recommends covering up during midday hours and wearing sunscreen.
According to Ms Maxey, it is not unusual to see short spells of warm weather and this is not considered a heatwave as temperatures need to exceed a specific threshold over three consecutive days in order to meet the criteria.
UK five day weather forecast
Today
Morning cloud and patchy rain across southern England will quickly clear to leave a fine and sunny day. Sunny spells and scattered showers elsewhere, most frequent in the north. Gusty winds across central and northern areas. Warm towards the southeast.
Tonight
Showers continuing across the northwest this evening. Clear spells elsewhere, though overnight cloud and patchy rain will move into western areas. Remaining breezy in the north.
Saturday
Cloud and patchy rain across England and Wales will gradually lift and break as the day progresses, though some southern areas staying cloudy. Brighter further north with scattered showers.
Outlook Sunday to Tuesday
Sunny spells on Sunday and Monday, with an increasing risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms. Hot and humid towards the southeast. Slowly becoming generally more unsettled and cooler from Tuesday.