UK weather latest: Sun to return for summer holidays following heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warning
Prediction of warm weekend comes as forecasters claim possible highs 35C next week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The sun is expected to return from its brief absence in time of the start of the summer holidays, after parts of Britain saw heavy rainfall on Friday evening.
Thunderstorm warnings were in place across most of south-east England until the end of Friday, the Met Office said, but forecasters “probably won’t need” to extend them into Saturday despite heavy rain persisting in the south-west and Wales.
Meteorologist Steven Keates said: “We have got some heavy showers around in a line from South West towards Dorset, Hampshire way at this point – nothing especially disruptive.
“In Wales and south-west England there are some clusters of showery rain which could bring some heavy bursts very locally – probably not to the extent mentioned in the warning.”
There were concerns earlier over potential travel disruption as holidaymakers began to set off following the start of the school break.
Clouds on Saturday morning should later make way for afternoon sunshine, with temperatures expected to reach 29C in London.
Mr Keates said: “There will still be dribs and drabs of drizzly rain in places but the amount of rain at this stage should probably not be much.
“Most places will see some sunshine by the afternoon but there still will be quite a lot of cloud in some places – it won’t be wall-to-wall sunshine.”
Sunday will be the better of the two days, with England seeing “fine, dry weather, sunny spells”, with the mercury rising above 30C.
The South East and parts of Wales will experience temperatures in the mid-20s, rising on Sunday, while north-west Scotland will see cloudier and wetter conditions.
The BBC’s weather team claimed in a tweet that temperatures of 35C could be possible next week.
As of Wednesday, the UK had just 1.85in (47mm) of rain, making it the driest start to summer in modern records which date back to 1961, followed by 2013 with 2.3in (59mm) of rain.
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments