UK weather – ‘Intense’ rain & thunderstorms to batter UK, with weather warning issued from MIDNIGHT, Met Office says

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epa10125961 People cross London Bridge during a heavy rainfall in London, Britain, 17 August 2022. The British Meteorological Office has warned of widespread flash floods as thunderstorms are likely across the country. Britain has been suffering a heatwave and a drought has been declared for parts of the country. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

INTENSE rain and thunderstorms are set to hit Britain with a warning issued from MIDNIGHT. 

Flooding is likely and Brits have been warned of possible power outages and building damage. 

Heavy rain is expected to return from midnight. Pictured in London last week

Thunder and lightning, like pictured here in Essex on Tuesday, is also expected


A yellow weather warning has been issued

Drivers were also told to expect longer journey times due to worse conditions while expected train delays are set to cause further travel chaos.

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covers much of the East of England, bits of the south coast from Cambridge and Norwich, as well as London, Portsmouth and Brighton. 

Heavy rain is forecast to hit in the early hours tomorrow with upwards of 60mm expected to fall in some places. 

And the thunderstorms are set to last for six hours across the east and southeast of England. 

Lightning will also be an extra weather hazard, meteorologists warned. 

The Met Office said: “There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.

“Delays to train services are possible and some short term loss of power and other services is likely.

“Possibly some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes is possible and some flooding of a few homes and businesses likely – leading to some damage to buildings or structures.”

But Britain is set to sizzle over the Bank Holiday weekend as the met Office revealed the exact date a 30C scorcher will hit.

It comes after Britain has experienced several thunderstorms and heatwaves in recent months.

The hottest ever night in the UK was recorded in July at a sweltering 26.8C in Shirburn, Oxfordshire.

Last week millions braced for travel chaos with power cuts and flood warnings.

Brits were even told the “be ready” to flee their homes.

Flash flooding followed weeks of tinder-dry weather which left Britain bone-dry and in a drought.

The Environment Agency also claimed the drought could continue into next year as reservoir levels are so low amid the lengthy dry spell and record temperatures.

And millions of residents have been hit with hosepipe bans as water firms try to fight off the effects of the dry spell.

Last month Britain experienced a 40C heatwave followed by thunder and lightning.