UK weather: Met Office warns of heavy rain and thunderstorms to hit today – with more downpours to come
FORECASTERS have warned Brits to brace for heavy rain and thunderstorms today.
The mercury will hit as high as 19C today – but tonight things will take a turn for the worse.
Latest forecasts say much of Wales and southern England will be hit with downpours from about 6pm.
The Met Office say tonight will see “heavy rain and potential thunderstorms moving across central and southern parts of England and Wales.”
“Dry elsewhere with mist and low cloud becoming quite widespread in the north and east.”
It comes as temperatures are set to soar in the south of England later in the week.
Senior meteorologist at the Met Office Amy Bokota said: “Temperatures have been below average for the last couple of weeks, so certainly by the time we get to Wednesday, and probably into next weekend, temperatures will be warmer.
“It might not be the sort of glorious sort of heatwave that we’re hoping for … but there probably will be some more pleasant and warmer weather for some people as we head towards the end of the week.”
So far this month, the maximum temperature recorded has been 21.8C in Writtle, Essex, on April 13 with a low of minus 6.3C recorded in Shap, Cumbria, on April 26 and a UK-wide average of 8.4C, according to the Met Office.
Grey skies and wet weather meant April may have felt unusually cold despite temperatures being higher than average for the time of year, the organisation said.
It comes as Britain faces early May Bank Holiday travel chaos with 16million cars set to clog roads on “Frantic Friday” and rail strikes.
The sunny spells after a wet week will make jams even worse, as millions dash for day trips to fairs and coasts.
Friday is set for a tea-time meltdown as a holidaymakers’ rush clashes with office workers and after-school traffic.
Around 16million drivers are expected on roads that day, data trends show.
Today:
Low cloud in the east, burning back towards North Sea coasts leaving many areas with bright or sunny spells. Some showers developing across central and eastern areas, before a risk of heavier rain moving into the far south later.
Tonight:
Heavy rain and potential thunderstorms moving across central and southern parts of England and Wales. Dry elsewhere with mist and low cloud becoming quite widespread in the north and east.
Thursday:
Further rain across the south and southwest, with the risk of thunder later. Otherwise largely dry with low cloud gradually clearing. Warm for many but cool along North Sea coasts.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Remaining changeable with further spells of rain or showers, particularly in the south. In any drier and brighter interludes it will feel warm away from the east coast.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s looking like a Frantic Friday, with getaway, school and commuter traffic building into the evening.
“Major trunk routes will be congested, with Saturday also busy.
“And after such miserable cold temperatures recently, drivers are ready to make the most of any better weather.
“Expect many more people on roads on days temperatures rise.”