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Flood warnings and storms to temper UK heatwave - Met Office UK storms cause further disruption after lightning
(about 2 hours later)
Storms and flash flooding could hit many parts of England and Wales in the next 24 hours, forecasters are warning. Storms have caused further disruption in parts of the UK after recent high temperatures and lightning strikes.
An amber "be prepared" warning for heavy and thundery showers has been issued by the Met Office. Heathrow Airport has asked airlines to cancel one in five flights between 16:00 and 18:00 BST. Airlines say other London flights could be delayed.
The Environment Agency has 55 flood alerts across parts of England and is warning of intense downfalls of rain. The roof of a house in Chelmsford collapsed after being struck by lightning overnight. No-one was hurt.
Heathrow Airport has asked airlines to cancel one in five flights between 16:00 and 18:00 BST because of anticipated stormy weather. There are amber weather warnings for rain in place for most of England and Wales. There are also flood alerts.
This means about 20 flights will be cancelled while others are likely to be delayed. Lightning strikes
The airport said there was a strong likelihood of thunderstorms, lightning strikes and hail, which can significantly reduce capacity for take-offs and landing. Heathrow said there was a strong likelihood of thunderstorms, lightning strikes and hail, which can significantly reduce capacity for take-offs and landing.
Passengers have been advised to check whether their flight will be operating before travelling to the airport. About 20 flights will be cancelled and passengers have been advised to check whether their flight will be operating before travelling to the airport.
Manchester Airport said an electrical surge caused by thunderstorms had caused some delays.Manchester Airport said an electrical surge caused by thunderstorms had caused some delays.
General duty manager Gary Brown said: "It impacted on some lifts and baggage systems but most systems are now back up and running. We'll wait to see what happens this afternoon when we're expecting thunder."General duty manager Gary Brown said: "It impacted on some lifts and baggage systems but most systems are now back up and running. We'll wait to see what happens this afternoon when we're expecting thunder."
'Torrential downpours' Kent fire service said the first floor and roof of a house in Sittingbourne was set alight by a lightning strike and a bungalow's roof was hit in Whitstable.
Overnight, the roof collapsed on a detached house in Chelmsford after it was struck by lightning. Essex Fire and Rescue Service said there were no reported casualties.
The first floor and roof of a house in Sittingbourne, Kent, was set alight by a lightning strike and a bungalow's roof was hit in Whitstable.
Houses were struck in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, while lightning started several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford.Houses were struck in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, while lightning started several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford.
West Midlands fire service rescued a woman from flood water after she become trapped in her car on the A458 in Stourton. The woman was unharmed.
Twenty-seven patients on the cardiology ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath had to be moved to other parts of the hospital after heavy rain brought down part of a ceiling.Twenty-seven patients on the cardiology ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath had to be moved to other parts of the hospital after heavy rain brought down part of a ceiling.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow heat-health warning for southern and eastern England and the Midlands, meaning "alert and readiness". 'Torrential downpours'
It comes after much of the country saw sunshine and hot weather on Friday, with temperatures in Gravesend, Kent, reaching 32.3C (90F), a high for 2014. The Met Office issued the amber weather warning, which means "be prepared", for all but the far northern, eastern and western edges of England and Wales.
The Met Office amber warning is in effect for most parts of England and Wales, except for the far north, west and eastern regions. There is also a yellow weather warning - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the rest of the UK except north-west Scotland.
But all other parts of the UK, except for the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland, are subject to a yellow "be aware" warning for rain. The Met Office said a very warm and humid air mass across the UK would become "increasingly unstable", leading to more intense thunderstorms.
The Met Office says a very warm and humid air mass across the UK will become "increasingly unstable", leading to more intense thunderstorms.
Several areas saw rain on Friday night and the wet weather will begin to move northwards during the day, it adds.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "We're expecting heavy thundery showers through the weekend with the potential for torrential downpours, large hail, frequent lightning and locally strong gusts.Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "We're expecting heavy thundery showers through the weekend with the potential for torrential downpours, large hail, frequent lightning and locally strong gusts.
"Not everywhere will see thunderstorms but where they do form we could see significant rainfall in a short space of time, which could cause localised flooding.""Not everywhere will see thunderstorms but where they do form we could see significant rainfall in a short space of time, which could cause localised flooding."
'Very humid' The Environment Agency has 55 flood alerts in place across parts of England, meaning "flooding is possible and be prepared".
The yellow heat-health alert is triggered when there is a 60% or more chance of heatwave conditions. The agency warned that 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour in some areas during the downpours.
The Met Office said: "Heavy thunderstorms in eastern areas on Saturday will lead to slightly lower maximum temperatures, but it will still be very humid."
The Environment Agency, meanwhile, predicts that 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour in some areas during the downpours.
Environment minister Dan Rogerson said the agency was working closely with local authorities to prepare for any flooding.Environment minister Dan Rogerson said the agency was working closely with local authorities to prepare for any flooding.
'Particular risk' The Met Office has also issued a yellow heat-health warning for southern and eastern England and the Midlands, meaning "alert and readiness".
The Open golf championship at Hoylake on Merseyside will use a two-tee start for the first time in its history because of the risk of thunderstorms. This is triggered when there is a 60% or more chance of heatwave conditions.
Play will start from both the first and 10th tees to allow for the third round to be completed even if there are delays of up to five hours. The Met Office said: "Heavy thunderstorms in eastern areas on Saturday will lead to slightly lower maximum temperatures, but it will still be very humid."
It comes after much of the country saw sunshine and hot weather on Friday, with temperatures in Gravesend, Kent, reaching 32.3C (90F), a high for 2014.
'Prolonged heat'
The Open golf championship at Hoylake on Merseyside used a two-tee start for the first time in its history because of the risk of thunderstorms.
Play started from both the first and 10th tees to allow for the third round to be completed even if there are delays of up to five hours.
The second cricket Test between England and India at Lord's could also be affected, with spectators being warned to expect storm interruptions.The second cricket Test between England and India at Lord's could also be affected, with spectators being warned to expect storm interruptions.
Public Health England (PHE) said the hot weather would continue across much of England this weekend and is urging people to keep up to date with weather forecasts.Public Health England (PHE) said the hot weather would continue across much of England this weekend and is urging people to keep up to date with weather forecasts.
PHE director for health protection Dr Paul Cosford said: "Prolonged heat poses a particular risk to the old, young and those with heart and lung conditions, who may feel the effects of hot weather more acutely than others.PHE director for health protection Dr Paul Cosford said: "Prolonged heat poses a particular risk to the old, young and those with heart and lung conditions, who may feel the effects of hot weather more acutely than others.
"Heat-health warnings are worth repeating and although rain is forecast for the weekend it also will remain very warm in a number of places.""Heat-health warnings are worth repeating and although rain is forecast for the weekend it also will remain very warm in a number of places."
The sweltering temperatures that ended the week came after lightning struck the UK more than 3,000 times in the early hours of Friday.The sweltering temperatures that ended the week came after lightning struck the UK more than 3,000 times in the early hours of Friday.
If you are affected by the storms, you can get in touch by emailing talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk. Please include the term 'Storms' in the subject line of your message.If you are affected by the storms, you can get in touch by emailing talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk. Please include the term 'Storms' in the subject line of your message.
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