UK storm tracker: Met Office issues new update over yellow warnings across Britain

10 flood alerts are in place for parts of the North East England and the East Midlands ahead of thunderstorms forecast to hit multiple English regions.

The yellow weather warning for thunderstorms will remain in effect until 11.59pm tonight, as forecasters warned residents in affected areas could be hit with flooding and power cuts.

The warning includes the East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, North East England, North West England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "While there is some uncertainty, thunderstorms may affect South East England during the early hours of Thursday, perhaps also extending into parts of East Anglia.

"Where these occur, rain accumulations of 25-40 mm are possible in one hour, with a small risk of over 60mm in two to three hours, and accompanied by frequent lightning at times.

"Elsewhere, an area of showery rain is likely to develop and move northeastwards across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England.

"This will be heavy and perhaps thundery at times, persisting through Thursday morning before easing towards midday.

"Some areas could receive rain accumulations of 25-50 mm over the course of a few hours.

"Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are then expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening across parts of central, southern and eastern England, and perhaps also south Wales.

"These have the potential to produce 50 mm or more in one to two hours, along with gusty winds, large hail, and the risk of surface water flooding.’

Driving conditions may be difficult as a result and roads could be closed as a result of sudden flooding.

Trains and buses may also be cancelled in areas where lightning and flooding occurs.

Commuters have been warned over possible travel disruption ahead of expected heavy thunderstorms across parts of the UK today

The Met Office wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "A thunderstorm warning is in effect until 23:59 #WeatherAware

"Currently there are already some heavy showers in the Birmingham area for example

"Beware when commuting this morning"

The Met Office says there is "some uncertainty" over where exactly the thunderstorms will roll in.

The national weather agency's yellow warning reads: "Whilst there is some uncertainty, thunderstorms may affect southeast England during the early hours of Thursday, perhaps also extending into parts of East Anglia.

"Where these occur, rain accumulations of 25-40 mm are possible in 1 hour, with a small risk of over 60mm in 2-3 hours, and accompanied by frequent lightning at times.

"Elsewhere, an area of showery rain is likely to develop and move northeastwards across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England," it adds.

The Met Office has issued several yellow warnings for thunderstorms covering most of the UK. They run right through the day until 11.59pm.

The national forecaster has warned: "Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast on Thursday, and may lead to some disruption."

This huge shift in the weather would be in complete contrast to the glorious sunshine seen across the UK this week, where temperatures have hit 30C in many places.

Monday 5 Aug - Wednesday 14 Aug

Low pressure is likely to remain broadly close to northwest Scotland through much of this period, with occasional spells of rain spreading southeastwards across the UK, perhaps somewhat erratically with the potential for some heavy bursts of rain in places. Between these periods of wetter weather, high pressure at times in southern areas will provide some dry and bright conditions, with showers likely continuing in the northwest where it may also be rather breezy or windy at times. Temperatures overall are likely to be close to or just slightly below the average for early August, especially in the northwest, but there is the chance of some rather warm conditions developing in parts of the south and east periodically.

The yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office remains in place over most of England until midnight tonight. Parts of north eastern France and Belgium continue to be hit by storms this morning.

Keep yourself safe by following these simple steps:

Before leaving for any water or outdoor activity check the weather forecast so you know what to expect during the day. If you hear thunder while you are outside, find a safe, enclosed shelter, such as your car. If you are out in the open water and a storm comes in, return to shore immediately Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks and get to lower ground.

If you are caught out in the open:

Try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees. Crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground. Stay away from objects that conduct electricity.

Read more on the Met Office website here. 

The Netweather website warns of:

The Met Office has warned further isolated storms may be developing by lunchtime tomorrow.

A live map from Netweather shows lightning has struck in the Channel several times within the last 20 minutes.

Lightning trackers are picking up significant booms across the Channel. The south coast of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire are likely to be the first residents to hear and see the storm tonight.

Small snippets from the French coast are coming across, but it's unclear if this will translate into a proper storm for Britain at this, immediate, live stage.

Fresh maps now show storms causing chaos in northern France, namely Lille which is about 2.5 hours away from the UK Eurotunnel border in Folkestone, Kent.

Outbursts are also spilling over into the Belgium border. Further west, Chambon and Lignieres are experiencing the full scale of storms - with lightning trackers indicating locals there are seeing and hearing the thunder and lightning.

Netweather.tv's storm tracker has showed small scale storms dispersing and crossing the Channel.

If the current trajectory is anything to go by, the east Kent coast including towns such as Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Lydd and into Rye in East Sussex could be first hit.

A separate cluster, further west, could make landfall in Seaford and Eastbourne in East Sussex overnight.

According to Netweather, the hot weather and humidity combined - along with an "increase in moisture in the very warm airmass over southern UK" will contribute to stormy weather.

It says: "This increase in moisture in the very warm airmass over southern UK, combined with gradual cooling aloft from the west, as an upper trough over the North Atlantic starts to edge further east, will bring an increasing risk of thunderstorms as we head into Thursday."

Senior meteorologist at British Weather Services has commented on the slow formation of storm - and lack of movement towards the UK.

He said: "[It will be in France] for the most part - and not far away, it’s causing havoc. However, we will brew our own over the next 24 hours, mainly for England with random sporadic outbreaks, SE England in the main frame."

Live trackers show the previous cluster dispersing, widespread, across France.

Despite the Met Office warnings not including parts of the south-west, live maps show rumbles may be heard first off the coast of Plymouth.

The Met Office has detailed exactly which areas are in the firing line - and others that may not see much at all.

- Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

- There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads

- There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost

- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds

The storm that has been on the Met Office's radar is currently unleashing chaos in France, as this map shows.

The map, time-stamped at 7.50pm, shows it expanding westwards - with little movement towards the English Channel.

The Met Office's warning for thunderstorms expires at midnight.

Several regions are in the thick of a yellow Met Office thunderstorm warning - and it looks as though the core may not strike for some time yet.

This live map, provided by Magic Seaweed, shows a yellow hue to the east of England and wrapping around the south eastern corner of the country (Kent).

This represents stronger winds - albeit only 17mph - but they are much stronger than anywhere else in the UK currently, where fine and dry weather dominates.

The answer in short - not quite.

Scorching sun is set to return for a two-week heatwave as a Caribbean jet stream hits. 

Weather experts at Netweather have forecast a fortnight of hot weather to slam into the UK next week, from August 5.

The hottest parts of the country will be in the southeast (Canterbury, Ipswich, Brighton) with temperatures between 26C and 30C. London will see the higher end of these temperatures.

London Fire Brigade has pointed out the Met Office's yellow weather warning and issued advice on how to prepare.

Fire chiefs are urging people to follow advice on "what to do during and after a flood" and also what to do if you are caught in a flood.

What to do in a flood, according to the Met Office:

Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.

Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured.

Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences.

Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

What to do if the storm knocks your power out:

People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground.

See the full list of locations expected to see storm conditions tonight:

East of England

Essex

Southend-on-Sea

Thurrock

Currently, storms are tracking across northern France, north-west of Paris.

They have not yet made land-fall in the UK, according to lightning maps.org, but some areas will be in for some rumbles this evening.

Welcome to the Daily Express's coverage of storms forecast to batter Britain overnight.

Stay with us as we provide live maps - analysis - and predictions for the rest of the week from experts.