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Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist across much of the UK on Thursday, raising concerns over flooding and potential travel disruptions. The Met Office has extended a yellow thunderstorm warning covering northern England and north Wales until 1pm BST. As the day progresses, the wet weather is anticipated to move southward and eastward, impacting other regions including Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia, and southern England. Motorists are being cautioned about slippery roads and the possibility of flooding, while temperatures are projected to remain below average for August in several areas over the coming days.
The weather pattern shift follows a summer largely dominated by high pressure, with low pressure now exerting influence and encouraging the formation of unstable air masses. This instability has fostered large storm clouds, capable of producing heavy rain, hail, and thunder, particularly during Thursday morning in northern England and north Wales. Within the designated yellow warning zone, rainfall could reach 15-20mm in just one hour, accumulating to 30-40mm over longer periods. The ground, still hard due to the recent prolonged dry spells, may exacerbate the risk of flash flooding. Additional hazards such as lightning, hail, and potential power cuts are also possibilities. Although showers will start to ease from the north by midday, sporadic heavy and thunderous downpours are likely across Wales, central, and southern England throughout the day, while Scotland and Northern Ireland face lighter showers and fewer thunderstorms.
Concerns have been raised about driving conditions as the wet weather returns after an extended dry spell. According to RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis, “Oil, fuel and rubber deposits that have built up over many weeks will now have been mixed together by the light rain, instead of being washed away, which means drivers are at greater risk of skidding on greasy roads.” He adds, “If heavier rain arrives, motorists may have to contend with the danger of flash floods in some areas.” As such, drivers are advised to lower their speed and maintain greater distances from vehicles ahead to ensure safety.
Despite the arrival of rain, experts warn that the drought affecting many parts of the UK will not end immediately. Persistent, sustained rainfall over a longer period will be necessary to restore water supplies, a process unlikely to be fully assessed until later in the winter season. While the majority of the country has experienced rainfall levels well below normal this summer—including some places enduring dry spells of two months or more—certain locations such as Aultbea in the Scottish Highlands have recorded above-average rainfall. This area has seen 389.6mm of rain so far, nearly matching its wettest summer on record. Meanwhile, temperatures across the UK are set to decline as northerly winds develop, with Thursday’s highs expected to range between 13°C and 23°C. This will mark the first day since late June without temperatures reaching 25°C anywhere in the UK. Friday promises to be cooler still, with many places remaining below the seasonal temperature average
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