THE Met Office has revealed the exact time “heavy thunderstorms” are set to hit Britain today, bringing in travel chaos and flooding.
Today will get off to a decent start with dry, sunny spells up and down the country but there is an increasing risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms developing, mainly in western parts.
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Showers are predicted to be heavy with frequent lightning and even hail in some parts, the national weather forecaster says.
It will feel very warm and humid too, particularly in the east.
Locations in the south-east could see temperatures hit 26C, possibly 27C, today.
The Met Office still has three yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms in place for today.
Starting first is the one in Northern Ireland which comes into effect at 11am today and covers the entire western half of the country.
It is in place until 7pm tonight.
The warning says to expect “heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms”.
Then from midday a second warning comes into effect which covers the vast majority of western England and most of Wales.
This warning lasts until 10pm tonight.
It says: “Heavy showers and thunderstorms could lead to some disruption in places, especially to travel. Isolated property flooding is possible.”
A similar, third, warning, is also in place from 2pm today which covers western and central parts of Scotland and flooding is possible.
The warning lasts until 4am on Monday.
While heavy rain will continue to hit Scotland for most of the night, it will be largely dry elsewhere.
Costal areas though could see some misty conditions by dawn.
The start of the working week will be greeted by rain arriving in southwest England during the morning and this is predicted to spread across Wales and Northern Ireland in the afternoon.
Further East though, it will stay mostly dry with warm, sunny spells.
The Met Office’s long-term forecast
May 16 to May 25
Changeable with showers developing by day across the UK during the latter part of the week and over the weekend.
The heaviest showers and greatest risk of thunderstorms across southern parts.
Temperatures generally around or just a little above average, though with winds tending to be light, still feeling warm in sunnier areas.
Over the weekend there are signs that showers may start to ease from the north with drier, more settled conditions probably becoming established for a time.
Confidence lowers into the following week with signals unclear how prolonged the influence of higher pressure will be.
So after a potentially more settled spell of weather, unsettled conditions are likely to return during the week with the wettest conditions in the west.
Above average temperatures more likely than below.
Temperatures will be down from the weekend.
Conditions will be unsettled as the week progresses as low pressure remains close by.
There will be more rain and heavy showers across Tuesday and Wednesday but conditions are expected to be drier on Thursday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to break out on Sunday morning, most likely across southwest England and Wales, but possibly also across western Northern Ireland too.
“They’ll track steadily north through the afternoon whilst probably growing into larger clumps of rain before clearing Scotland overnight.
“Some intense downpours are possible in a few places, giving up to 30mm in less than hour and perhaps 40-50mm over two to three hours.
“Hail, frequent lightning strikes and strong wind gusts will be additional localised hazards.”
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