Sunny spells and thunderstorms for the Bank Holiday
Author: Press Office
17:44 (UTC+1) on Sun 27 May 2018
Thunderstorms are bringing torrential rain, frequent lightning and some hail to parts of the UK this Bank Holiday weekend.
Thunderstorms are bringing torrential rain, frequent lightning and some hail to parts of the UK this Bank Holiday weekend. A number of National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued for rain, both Amber and Yellow warnings.
Some of the heaviest thunderstorms have brought as much as 30 mm of rain in an hour in some places and in excess of 60 mm in 3 hours in some locations. The thunderstorms are expected to ease through Sunday evening.
Some of the most violent storms developed across the Midlands and North Wales through Sunday afternoon, but these are also expected to ease as we go through the evening and into Monday.
The heavy showers and thunderstorms could bring localised flooding and damage to buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail and strong winds.
Steve Ramsdale, Met Office Chief Meteorologist said; “Bank Holiday Monday will see sunny spells developing for many but there will continue to be more isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms for parts of England & Wales”.
Not everywhere will see the showers however and where it remains dry and sunny, temperatures could reach into the high twenties. However, on shore breezes will keep parts of the east coast that little bit cooler.”
Scotland and Northern Ireland are seeing some of the best of the sunshine as we head through the weekend and temperatures have been widely in the low to mid 20s.
With the warm weather this weekend, Dr Thomas Waite, a public health consultant at Public Health England, said: "Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for many people spells of warmer weather are something they very much enjoy.
"For some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks.
"It is currently Ramadan. If you start to feel unwell, disoriented or confused, or collapse or faint, advice is to stop fasting and have a drink of water or other fluid. The Muslim Council of Britain has confirmed that breaking fast in such conditions is allowable under Islamic law."
Beyond the weekend high pressure and the easterly winds remain in charge into the half- term holidays, with many places seeing a continuation of the very warm, dry spell and the risk of thundery outbreaks for some.
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