The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms across London on Saturday, with the potential to cause disruption to transport and infrastructure. The warning is in place from 9am – 6pm on Saturday (7 June).
Frequent downpours, hail and lightning are expected throughout the day, with rainfall of up to 15mm in less than an hour in some areas. A few locations could see as much as 30 to 40mm over several hours due to repeated storms. Gusty winds are also likely.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri explains: “Frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected for much of Saturday, before they fade from the west during the mid-to-late afternoon. It’s possible that 10-15mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, while some places could see 30-40mm of rain over several hours from successive showers and thunderstorms. Frequent lightning, hail, and strong, gusty winds are also possible. “
There could also be a risk of surface-water flooding. The warning affects the whole of Greater London as well as much of the South East, East of England, and parts of the Midlands and Wales. The worst of the weather is expected to ease from the west during the mid to late afternoon.
Heavy showers could bring almost as much rainfall in a few hours on Saturday as England had for the whole of May, according to the Met Office. Met Office data shows England had 32.8mm of rain last month, almost half the month’s usual average.
Met Office spokeswoman Andrea Bishop said the weather for the rest of the week would be “changeable”. She said: “Generally the theme is the continuation of something a bit cooler, a bit breezy at times, and a bit wet at times too.
“We are keeping an eye on a new front which looks like it will move in on Friday night, bringing rain which could be heavy, and possibly thundery at times on Saturday.
“Rainfall totals of 20-30mm are likely in places and, at present, this looks like it will affect the southern half of the UK. We are keeping a close eye on this to see how it evolves over the next 24 hours or so.”
Forecast for London
Today (Friday):
Patchy rain this morning will quickly give way to scattered showers. During the afternoon, showers will ease, with sunny spells developing. Some of the showers may be locally heavy, with a chance of thunder. Breezy throughout the day, with strong winds near southern coasts.
Maximum temperature: 21°C
Tonight:
A dry and bright evening with long spells of sunshine at first. Cloud will increase overnight, with outbreaks of rain moving in from the west around midnight — some of which may be locally heavy.
Minimum temperature: 12°C
Saturday:
A very unsettled day. Rain and showers will become widespread and heavy at times, with a risk of thunder and hail, especially in the afternoon. Winds will strengthen through the day, becoming strong by late afternoon.
Maximum temperature: 18°C
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Sunday: Fairly cloudy but largely dry, with some sunshine at times.
Monday: Cloudy in the morning with a chance of a light shower, turning sunnier later.
Tuesday: Mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells, though a brief spell of rain can’t be ruled out.
Temperatures: Generally around or just below average for early June.
Winds: Remaining breezy throughout the period.
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