UK weather latest: Thunderstorm warning amid threat of heavy downpours and flooding across southeast

Weekend set to see temperatures as high as 30C as schools break up for summer

Forecasters have issued a thunderstorm warning amid the threat of heavy downpours, flooding, and lightning strikes across southeast England.

Temperatures are on the rise and most of can look forward to another hot and sunny weekend, but the Met Office said it could bring thundery downpours on Friday afternoon.

A yellow weather warning is in place for the region between 2pm and midnight.

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater,” the Met Office said on its website. It also warned of possible delays to public transport and difficult driving conditions.

“There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost,” it added.

Much of the country will stay dry on Thursday, with some much needed rain expected to reach Scotland by the afternoon and possible showers in eastern England.

Yellow weather warning for thunderstorms issued for the southeast (Met Office)

The rain will move south into northern England, Wales and the Midlands overnight.

But as the school holidays begin, the mercury is expected to reach highs of 30C on Saturday.

Met Office meteorologist Dean Hall said: “The last heatwave ended with a temperature breakdown, but it looks as though we are going back into the heat again.

“The heat will be building into the weekend and early next week.

“But with the increasing heat and humidity there’s always a chance of one or two thunderstorms.”

Mr Hall said most of the country would enjoy warm and dry conditions with the hot, sunny weather predicted to last into next week when top temperatures could reach 31C.

“It’s a very warm weekend with plenty of fine, dry weather around, with the exception being a little bit of cloud in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.” he continued.

“But otherwise a good deal of fine, dry weather and very warm if not hot conditions.”

The latest hot spell comes after the Met Office said Britain could see a record-breaking summer if temperatures stay above average.

Conditions have been unusually dry, with the UK having just 47mm of rain so far, making it the driest start to summer in modern records, which date back to 1961.

Additional reporting by PA