UK weather forecast: Met Office warns bank holiday drivers to be careful as thunderstorm warnings issued

The Bank Holiday weekend is not expected to reach the highs of early summer
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The UK saw temperatures reach new heights earlier this summer, but its end looks likely to be a wet and windy washout.

The Met Office has issued weather warnings for thunderstorms and heavy downpours as Britain heads into the August bank holiday weekend.

Yellow weather warnings cover Thursday and Friday for large parts of the country.

Localised flooding and travel disruption are anticipated by forecasters, which could hamper millions of Brits trying to make it to destinations around the UK for the long weekend.

A yellow warning for heavy rain on Thursday, covering most of southern England and parts of south Wales, is due to last until 7pm.

Storm Francis brought gusts of more than 80mph with conditions causing homes to be flooded earlier this month
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On Friday, another yellow weather warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms has been put in place for 11am to 8pm, covering a slightly larger area of south Wales and southern England.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill told PA Media that on Thursday "there will be some localised flooding perhaps, but also really quite treacherous driving conditions".

He said: "Tomorrow we have the risk of some really heavy torrential downpours, with some large hail and lightning and thunder mixed in too.

"But it's during the intense downpours that we're quite likely to see some surface water flooding in a few places and again really quite difficult driving conditions.

"Obviously, it's the Friday before the bank holiday weekend, so lot's of people will be planning to take to the roads and so they do need to be aware that even if they're enjoying sunny spells at one moment a hefty shower could come along very quickly and make conditions very, very difficult."

Many holidaymakers are shunning a three-day break abroad in favour of a so-called staycation as the travel industry continues to be devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The forecaster explained that many areas could see wind gusts of 30 to 40mph, particularly on the eastern and northeastern coast of England - although these are not covered by a warning as they will not have the heavy intense downpours expected further south.

Driving conditions may be difficult
PA

In a glimmer of hope for staycationers, Mr Burkill said the weather outlook was "an improving picture" for the bank holiday weekend itself - although temperatures are set to remain cool and in the low 20s "at best".

He said: "Maybe a bit wet and windy for some to start Saturday but turning dryer through the day and then mostly fine, but cool, on Sunday into Monday.

"It is going to be quite cool, so some people may feel a little hard done by for the last weekend of summer."

Mr Burkill highlighted that last year's August bank holiday Monday was the hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 33C.

"We're definitely not going to beat it this year," he said, adding: "I would bet my house on it."

This week's weather warnings come off the back of a wet and windy August, with Storms Ellen and Francis battering the country within the space of a week.

Since 2015, when it started naming storms, the Met Office had previously never named one in August.

Storm Francis brought gusts of more than 80mph with conditions causing homes to be flooded, trees toppled, rail lines blocked and campers and elderly residents rescued from floodwater.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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