Downpours continue for UK with risk of flash flooding - BBC Weather
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Heavy showers and thunderstorms will continue to affect large parts of the UK on Thursday, bringing a risk of flooding and travel disruption.
A Met Office yellow thunderstorm warning remains in force across northern England and north Wales until 10:00 BST on Thursday.
The downpours will move southwards and eastwards during the day, impacting other areas of Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia, and southern England.
Drivers are warned of slippery conditions and the risk of flooded roads due to the return to wet weather. Temperatures are also expected to drop, with places potentially remaining below the August average over the next few days.
Low pressure drifts eastwards after a summer dominated by high pressure. Unstable air beneath the low allows for the development of large storm clouds capable of delivering torrential downpours, hail, and thunder.
During Thursday morning, northern England and north Wales will experience the brunt of the thunderstorms. The Met Office yellow warning area could see 15-20mm of rain in an hour, with 30-50mm possible in six hours. Flash flooding is possible, especially where the ground remains dry from the recent hot, dry spell. Lightning and hail will pose additional hazards.
Showers are expected to ease from the north during the morning, moving southwards into other parts of Wales and central and southern England, where a few downpours could still be heavy and thundery.
Motoring experts caution that wet weather after a prolonged dry spell can create hazardous driving conditions. The RAC's Rod Dennis advises drivers to reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from ahead vehicles.
Even with rain returning, experts warn that the drought affecting large parts of the UK may not end immediately. A sustained period of persistent rainfall is needed to replenish water stocks, and it will be late winter before we know if this has happened.
However, while many areas have seen rainfall well below normal this summer, Aultbea in the Scottish Highlands has recorded 389.6mm of rain so far – more than double the seasonal norm.
Temperatures are set to drop on Thursday afternoon, with highs expected to reach 13-23°C.