Two additional yellow weather alerts for thunderstorms have been issued, signaling the possibility of large hailstones affecting millions of people in the UK.
Despite record-breaking temperatures during the recent heatwave, reaching new highs on Wednesday with a potential spike to 38C today, parts of the country have also experienced stormy weather.
The Met Office has now released two yellow warnings for thunderstorms in Scotland. One warning is in effect from 3pm until midnight today, while a broader advisory covers the entirety of Scotland for Friday. These storms could bring lightning, heavy rainfall, and hailstones as large as 4cm in diameter.
According to the Met Office’s warning for Friday, heavy rain and thunderstorms starting in northwest Scotland are expected to spread across the region throughout the morning. The forecast indicates the possibility of intense rainfall, lightning strikes, large hailstones, and gusty winds in some areas.
This alert coincides with a rare red warning for extreme heat already in place. Gosport, Hampshire recorded a temperature of 36.1C yesterday, surpassing the previous June record set in 1976.
The heatwave is forecasted to persist into Friday, with the potential for even higher temperatures. The Met Office suggests that Thursday will bring hotter conditions, with amber and red extreme heat alerts in effect. However, some regions may experience slightly cooler temperatures due to a brisk southern breeze.
Red warnings for extreme heat have been issued for several areas in the UK until late Thursday, raising concerns about significant disruptions to daily life. If temperatures soar to 39C, it would mark the second hottest day ever recorded in the country.
Moreover, a yellow thunderstorm warning is active for southwest England from 6pm today until the end of the day.
The prevailing weather conditions are attributed to a “heat-dome” settling over Western Europe, leading to extreme weather patterns across the continent.
