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| Storms mark climax of heatwave | Storms mark climax of heatwave |
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| Strong and violent storms marked the end of a three-week heatwave that has seen the hottest temperatures in seven years, weather experts have said. | Strong and violent storms marked the end of a three-week heatwave that has seen the hottest temperatures in seven years, weather experts have said. |
| Thunder, lightning and hail began overnight and were expected to last intermittently throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, coupled with torrential rain and the risk of flash floods. | Thunder, lightning and hail began overnight and were expected to last intermittently throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, coupled with torrential rain and the risk of flash floods. |
The storms are predicted to continue over the Midlands as well as eastern, central, northern and southern parts of England, with the east Midlands, London and Kent seeing the worst of the weather. Temperatures are expected dip to the high | The sharp change in weather comes after weeks of scorching temperatures, peaking on Monday at 33.5C in London – the hottest day since 20 July 2006. The storms are predicted to continue over the Midlands as well as eastern, central, northern and southern parts of England, with the east Midlands, London and Kent seeing the worst of the weather. Temperatures are expected to dip to the high 20s, coupled with very high humidity in the south-east, but the west of England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be far cooler before the rest of the country gradually follows. |
| Forecaster Brendan Jones of MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "In the last few weeks an area of high pressure has hung over the UK creating settled, very hot conditions. "But now air is pushing in from the Atlantic and meeting this humid air, and the combination is causing these strong and violent storms that will last on and off throughout the day and linger into Wednesday. | Forecaster Brendan Jones of MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "In the last few weeks an area of high pressure has hung over the UK creating settled, very hot conditions. "But now air is pushing in from the Atlantic and meeting this humid air, and the combination is causing these strong and violent storms that will last on and off throughout the day and linger into Wednesday. |
| "The main threat is of flash flooding from localised but torrential rain, especially as the ground is so dry and solid it will not soak up the water very easily. "Another threat is from the frequency of the lightning bolts, which could come down to the ground and cause damage. | "The main threat is of flash flooding from localised but torrential rain, especially as the ground is so dry and solid it will not soak up the water very easily. "Another threat is from the frequency of the lightning bolts, which could come down to the ground and cause damage. |
He added that humid conditions would bring The Met Office issued a low-level alert warning of storms and torrential downpours across England, Wales and Scotland. "The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to travel, and more generally to summer holiday activities, due to, for example, surface water flooding." The overall trend for the rest of the week will see the UK gradually cool down, with a continuing risk of showers and thunderstorms. By next week the temperatures are expected to settle in the low 20s. | "It will remain quite hot and humid in some areas today but generally everywhere will now start to cool off." He added that humid conditions would bring more of the hailstones already seen in south London. The Met Office issued a low-level alert warning of storms and torrential downpours across England, Wales and Scotland. "The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to travel, and more generally to summer holiday activities, due to, for example, surface water flooding." The overall trend for the rest of the week will see the UK gradually cool down, with a continuing risk of showers and thunderstorms. By next week the temperatures are expected to settle in the low 20s. |
| The hot weather has taken its toll on the UK with grassfires in London, mountain blazes in the Welsh valleys and forest fires in Fife, Scotland. Hundreds of premature deaths are believed to have been caused by the heatwave. Wildlife experts are warning of the risk of fires in important landscapes that are in "tinderbox" condition after days of hot dry weather. Devon Wildlife Trust has teamed up with the Devon and Somerset fire service to urge people to take care to avoid lighting fires in the region, which can devastate habitats that are key for rare species and pose danger to people and farmland. | The hot weather has taken its toll on the UK with grassfires in London, mountain blazes in the Welsh valleys and forest fires in Fife, Scotland. Hundreds of premature deaths are believed to have been caused by the heatwave. Wildlife experts are warning of the risk of fires in important landscapes that are in "tinderbox" condition after days of hot dry weather. Devon Wildlife Trust has teamed up with the Devon and Somerset fire service to urge people to take care to avoid lighting fires in the region, which can devastate habitats that are key for rare species and pose danger to people and farmland. |
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