Heavy showers and thunderstorms will continue to affect large swathes of the UK on Thursday, bringing the threat of flooding and travel disruption. A Met Office yellow thunderstorm warning remains in force across northern England and north Wales until on Thursday. The downpours will drift southwards and eastwards during the day, affecting other parts of Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England.
Drivers are being warned that the return to wet weather could lead to slippery conditions as well as the risk of flooded roads. Temperatures are also forecast to drop with some places expected to remain below the August average over the next few days. After a summer that has largely been dominated by high pressure, low pressure has now taken control.
Unstable air underneath the low has allowed big storm clouds to develop, capable of delivering torrential downpours accompanied by hail and thunder. During Thursday morning, northern England and north Wales will bear the brunt of the thunderstorms. Within the Met Office yellow warning area, 15-20mm of rain could fall in just an hour, with 30-50mm possible in a six hour period.
Flash flooding is possible, especially in areas where the ground remains very hard after the prolonged hot, dry spell. Lightning and hail will bring additional hazards. Showers are expected to ease from the north during the morning, migrating southwards into other parts of Wales as well as central and southern England where a few downpours could still be heavy and thundery.
As ever with showers, some places will see more rain than others. Scotland and Northern Ireland will also have showers but they should be less intense, with a lower chance of thunder. Motoring experts warn that wet weather after a prolonged dry spell can cause dangerous driving conditions.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis says: "Oil, fuel and rubber deposits that have built up over many weeks will now have been mixed together by the light rain, instead of being washed away, which means drivers are at greater risk of skidding on greasy roads. "If heavier rain arrives, motorists may have to contend with the danger of flash floods in some areas." Drivers are being advised to reduce their speed and leave extra space between them and the vehicle in front. Even as rain has returned, experts are warning that the drought gripping large swathes of the UK will not immediately come to an end.
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