Met Office warns when severe weather will mark the end of intense heatwave with thunderstorms expected
The Met Office has warned of thunderstorms and heavy rain across the UK, with an amber heat health alert in place today
Thunderstorms and torrential downpours have been forecast to deliver a savage conclusion to the blistering heatwave, with Wales expected to get some heavy rain in the coming days.
Brits had sweltered in 33.4C temperatures on Tuesday, with Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire and Benson in Oxfordshire recording some of the highest readings. An amber heat health alert continues across the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, London, and East of England until 6pm today, though conditions will shift dramatically after that.
Severe weather is anticipated, particularly throughout northern England, with temperatures plummeting considerably. The Met Office indicates weather warnings for thunderstorms and rainfall may be announced later today.
Visitors take to UK beaches this week
(Image: PA)
This could provide welcome respite for many Brits who have struggled with sleepless nights amid the intense heat. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
"By this evening, there is an increased risk of thunderstorms across northern areas, with the potential for some fairly wet weather.
"Whilst the exact location for these unsettled conditions remains uncertain, it's possible a warning may be issued closer to the time," Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said, reports the Mirror.
The forecaster continued: "Wednesday brings a more complex picture, with high temperatures but also the chance of thunderstorms arriving in the evening."
The Met Office anticipates the most intense storms will strike Northern Ireland, Cumbria and western Scotland, though precipitation is expected across broader areas.
Thursday's rainfall is predicted to move further south, with Wales facing particularly heavy deluges.
The record-breaking August temperature remains 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, on August 10, 2003, whilst this year's peak reached 35.8C, again in Faversham, on July 1.
This surpassed June 21's high of 33.2C, which was logged in Charlwood in Surrey.
However, Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna has cautioned that downpours are anticipated later today.
He explained: "Wednesday will be mostly dry with further very warm or hot sunshine, but we will see some showers... a few affecting Scotland during the day, which could turn heavy and thundery."
Yet this rainfall might provide welcome respite as authorities have cautioned that England faces "nationally significant" water shortages despite precipitation last month.
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The national drought group, comprising the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and additional organisations, has convened as five regions across the country remain under drought conditions, with six others classified as experiencing prolonged dry weather.
England is witnessing extensive environmental and agricultural consequences from the water deficit, which is impacting harvest yields, diminishing livestock feed, harming wetlands and aquatic wildlife, and escalating wildfire risks, the group reported.
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