UK weather latest: Thunderstorms predicted to last another week, Met Office warns

Lightning strikes and rain could hang around into beginning of June as high pressure block continues

A wave of thunderstorms that has already brought flash floods to some areas of Britain could continue to hammer the country for at least another week, forecasters have warned.

Yellow weather warnings have been issued for southern England on Tuesday, with lightning strikes and flooding possible again in some areas.

A high pressure front is creating a blocking pattern across the British Isles and northern Europe, preventing fresher air from being drawn in, the Met Office said.

A spell of less humid weather could break through by the weekend, but looks likely to be replaced once again by warm, thundery conditions by the start of next week.

Northern areas look set to miss the worst of the storms, but will instead see lower temperatures and spells of low cloud and mist.

“Weather warnings have been issued for southern England and that is likely to be extended to Wales later on Tuesday,” Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said.

“The risk of thunderstorms may push further north towards Northern Ireland and northern England, but the main focus is still on southern areas.

“This weather looks as if it will last until at least the end of the week, but the weekend looks as if it could produce a brief interlude where we will see some slightly fresher conditions.

“By the start of next week, we could see a return to the thunderstorms and muggy weather we have seen so far this week.”

Thunderstorms and heavy rain swept across the UK over the bank holiday weekend, causing flash floods in parts of the West Midlands, leaving one person dead.

Police said a man in his 80s was killed in Walsall after his vehicle was submerged in floodwater in the early hours of Monday morning.

More than a month’s rainfall hit Birmingham in just one hour on Sunday, while West Midlands Ambulance service said it had rescued several people from flooded homes.

West Midlands Fire Service received more than 900 calls during the storm, with its crews attending more than 100 incidents within the space of four hours.