The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert for thunderstorms affecting extensive regions in England and Wales.
This advisory, which spans much of southern England, segments of the Midlands, and a significant portion of south Wales, will activate at 09:00 BST on Saturday and remain in effect until 18:00.
The agency forecasts that areas could receive between 10-15 mm of rain within a single hour, with some locations potentially experiencing 30-40 mm over several hours due to consecutive downpours and storms.
Additionally, the UK weather authority has cautioned about risks from frequent lightning, hail, and gusty winds, which could pose further threats.
Following a historically dry spring, recent weather since early June has turned noticeably unstable, featuring conditions markedly wetter, windier, and cooler than the seasonal norm.
In fact, England recorded only 32.8 mm of rain last month, marking its driest spring in over a century.
It’s anticipated that Saturday could bring more rainfall in certain areas than what was seen throughout May.
Thunderstorms can be unpredictable as they often develop locally; therefore, not every location will face severe downpours—most areas might witness scattered showers, while some might remain completely dry.
The weather agency has highlighted potential disruptions in areas hit by heavy rainfall, which may affect travel conditions due to surface water and spray, leading to increased travel times. Train services could also face delays.
Furthermore, residents may experience temporary power outages and other service interruptions, and lightning strikes could result in property damage.
While thunderstorms are expected to persist throughout much of the day, the intensity will likely decrease in the west by mid-afternoon.
The yellow weather warning represents the initial tier of alerts issued by the Met Office and is determined by both the likelihood of severe weather events and their potential impacts.
Other areas of the UK will see rain on Saturday, though it is expected to be less severe compared to southern regions.