UK weather: Warning for thunderstorms issued with risk of flooding as heatwave continues
The warning covers most of Scotland and Northern Ireland until 10pm on Thursday - and comes as heat health alerts were extended by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) into next week for much of England.
The UKHSA said yellow warnings will now be in place for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London and the South East, South West and East of England until 6pm on 18 August.
Flood alerts have also been issued for Scotland with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency warning of a risk of significant flooding from surface water and rivers due to today's thundery downpours.
The Met Office said there was the potential for 20 to 30mm of rainfall in under an hour, and up to 50mm where storms could repeatedly affect the same area. The most intense storms may also bring lightning and hail.
Showers are expected to ease through the evening, though they may linger over Orkney and the far north.
Temperatures will remain high in the north, despite the unsettled conditions, the Met Office said.
The forecaster said another warm day is expected across much of the UK today, with temperatures climbing into the low to mid-30s in eastern England.
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Some areas will continue to experience their fourth heatwave of the summer so far, with Thursday remaining warm or very warm for many, though cooler near coasts.
"Temperatures could still reach 30C in eastern England, though many areas will be a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week."
Friday is expected to bring a north-south split, with cloudier skies and patchy rain or drizzle in parts of the north, while the south enjoys plenty of sunshine - temperatures could reach 31C in southern England, the Met Office said.
The weekend is expected to be dry and sunny for most - top temperatures could reach 30C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday in south-west England.
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