RAIN WARNING UK weather: Exact date thunderstorms to hit as Met Office warns to brace for flooding & power cuts after 28C warm spell
THE Met Office has warned of the EXACT date thunderstorms are set to hit - as flooding and power cuts lurk ahead.
Brits enjoyed soaking up the sunshine amid a brief hot spell yesterday as the mercury rose to 28C in parts of the UK
Brits have headed out to parks and beaches this morning as the Met Office predicts temperates could reach as high as 31C.
Photographs show beachgoers enjoying the cooling waves in Newquay as lifeguard Megan Renshaw took to the water in Lymington Sea Water Baths.
The warm weather has brought out almost a million sunflowers at Maiden Castle Farm in Dorchester.
But the sunshine isn't expected to last for long, with the Met Office issuing two yellow weather warnings within hours.
Storms are expected across Northern Ireland, Scotland and much of northern England.
The alert in place over Northern Ireland comes into force at midnight and lasts until 7am on Monday.
Meanwhile, the notice issued to the whole of Scotland, Newcastle and north Manchester, is in place from 2am in the early hours of Monday and ends at 1pm.
Those affected were warned of "spray and sudden flooding" triggering "difficult driving conditions".And, there's small chance communities could be temporarily isolated by flooded roads, while power cuts may see homes and businesses disrupted.
Public transport services such as trains could see delays and cancellations should there be any lightning strikes.
"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds," the warning added.
Despite the unsettled weather patterns, temperatures are set to remain warm, with figures hovering between the high teens and early 20s in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the south of England is predicted to feel the mercury rise up to 32C in London, Cambridge and Peterborough.
Wales can also expect some intermittent showers throughout the day.
It comes as the Met Office issued a heat health warning along with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) particularly targeted to those aged 65 and over, or anyone with a medical condition made worse by rising temperatures.
The UKHSA warned the worst affected areas will be in London, South East, South West, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands.
The heat health warning is set to last for three days and will be in place from 9am today until 9am on Tuesday, August 13.
"Significant impacts are possible across the health and social care sector due to the high temperatures, including: observed increase in mortality across the population likely, particularly in the 65+ age group or those with health conditions," the notice reads.
It adds: "But impacts may also be seen in younger age groups; increased demand for remote healthcare services likely; and internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment."
The spike in warmth is partly due to Storm Debby, which rocked parts of the US earlier this week.
It will shift the jet stream - a current of strong winds in the atmosphere which has a significant influence on UK weather - further south.
But this weather pattern is also the trigger behind expected "severe thunderstorms".
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: “Tropical Storm Debby in North America is helping to strengthen the jet stream, and is causing it to meander over the Atlantic.
"This will allow hot air to move into the UK later this weekend, and early next week.
“Temperatures are likely to reach the low 30 Celsius in places, notably in the south and southeast.
“Further north and west within this warm air, outbreaks of heavy showers or thunderstorms are possible.
“As well as the hot daytime temperatures, a very warm night is also expected on Sunday night into Monday”.
UK five-day forecast
Today
Cloud in the south lifting and breaking throughout the day and early showers across northern Scotland fading. Then, largely dry with a good number of sunny spells. Very warm overall, though feeling particularly humid across southern England and Wales.
Tonight
Late sunshine for many to end the weekend. Turning windier overnight with thunderstorms developing in the west and north, bringing torrential downpours and frequent lightning. Warm and humid.
Monday
Windy in the north with thunderstorms and heavy rain steadily moving eastwards. Elsewhere, sunny spells with variable cloud amounts. Hot and humid across England and eastern Wales.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday
Turning fresher with the heat abating, though still warm. Changeable theme with a mixture of sunnier periods and bands of rain pushing across. Windy at times.
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