Three-day thunderstorm warning as temperatures soar to 30C: Heat-health alert is issued for first time this year as maps show areas set to be battered by storms from tomorrow

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Britain will endure intense rainfall over the coming days along with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and hail as temperatures soar to 30C.
The Met Office has activated three yellow thunderstorm warnings for parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, running between tomorrow and Saturday.
And with the mercury rising towards Friday, the UK Health Security Agency has issued the first heat-health alert of the year which covers three regions of England.
The UKHSA's yellow alert is in place from 9pm tomorrow until 8am on Sunday and covers the East of England, the East Midlands, London and the South East.
Under UKHSA and the Met Office's Weather-Health alerting system, a yellow alert means there could be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people.
It may lead to an increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'Our findings show that even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
The second thunderstorm warning for Northern Ireland begins at 6am tomorrow and will run until 9pm, with the Met Office again expecting 40mm of rain in three hours and 45mph winds
The third thunderstorm warning for South East England including London includes a forecast of 50mm of rain with a 'risk of even greater accumulations should thunderstorms line up'
'The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.
'If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.'
The three Met Office thunderstorm warnings
1) South West England and Wales, 0am tonight until 1pm tomorrow - 40mm (1.6in) of rain in three hours;
2) Northern Ireland from 6am until 9pm tomorrow - 40mm (1.6in) of rain;
3) South East England including London - 50mm (2in) of rain.
The Met Office has issued yellow thunderstorm warnings as the warmer weather arrives.
The first covers South West England and most of Wales, running from midnight tonight until 1pm tomorrow – with 50mph gusts and 40mm (1.6in) of rain in three hours;
The second for Northern Ireland begins at 6am tomorrow and will run until 9pm, with the Met Office again expecting 40mm of rain in three hours along with 45mph winds;
And the third for the South East including London includes a forecast of 50mm (2in) of rain with a 'risk of even greater accumulations should thunderstorms line up'.
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: 'A weather system will push northwards through tomorrow, bringing heavy rain and a risk of thunderstorms to parts of southwest England, most of Wales, and later into Northern Ireland.
'Forty millimetres of rain could fall in three hours or less, leading to the potential for disruption. Further thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon across England and Wales, moving quickly northwards with hail and lightning.
'Temperatures will remain high, with 26 or 27C possible again in the north Midlands and parts of north London.'
Further rain is expected in western areas early on Friday as a low pressure system to the West draws in more warm, moist air from the south.
Deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wisson said: 'By Friday afternoon and evening, heavy and thundery showers are likely to spread across southeastern England and East Anglia, tracking north-eastwards overnight.
'There is currently some uncertainty around the exact location and intensity of the thunderstorms, but there is a risk that some areas could see 30 to 50mm of rain, with a risk of even larger accumulations possible.
'With much of the rain falling in a short space of time there is a risk of impacts such as surface water flooding. Frequent lightning, gusty winds and hail could pose additional hazards.'
The Met Office said Friday is expected to be the warmest day of the period, with temperatures reaching 28C (82F) or 29C (84F) with the 'chance of 30C (86F) in some isolated spots in eastern areas'.
This warm spell is expected to feel different to the prolonged sunny weather experienced last month because the humidity will be much higher, and conditions will therefore be more uncomfortable for many – especially overnight.
By Saturday, rain is expected to shift further north into northern England and southern Scotland - before a cooler westerly flow will develop on Sunday.
Conditions are then set to become increasingly settled in the South into the start of next week as high pressure builds, with the North likely to remain more changeable.