Thunder and lightning expected in parts of the UK on Friday and Saturday | UK Weather

Thunderstorms and lightning are expected to hit the UK, with up to 70mm of rain falling in a matter of hours following a period of dry, warm weather.

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday. Damage to buildings from lightning, disruption to public transport and flooding are expected in affected areas.

Friday’s warning applies to most of south-west England, parts of Wales, the Midlands and west London and is in effect from 12pm to 8pm.

The second warning is in effect all day Saturday from 1am and covers all of Wales and the south-west of England, the Midlands and parts of the south-east of England.

The weather service has said that in addition to “thunderstorms and heavy showers”, hail and lightning are also possible, with up to 70mm of rain expected in the worst-hit areas on Saturday.

The stormy weather follows a warm, dry spell. According to the meteorologist, temperatures in Inverness rose to 25 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while the mercury in south-east England reached the same maximum on Thursday.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said: “We’re being treated to almost the last hurrah of summer, but there’s a bit of a change coming as we head towards Friday, and especially the weekend.”

A “gentle drop” in temperatures is expected over the weekend, with highs of 24 degrees Celsius forecast for East Anglia on Saturday, followed by lows of 20 degrees Celsius in the area on Sunday, he added.

According to Stroud, the UK has seen an average of 49.5mm of rain up to September 17, which is normal for this time of year.

He added that “successive periods of rain” and “normal autumn conditions” are expected next week.