UK weather: Yellow warning as thunderstorms could lead to flooding and travel disruption

Large swathes of England and Wales are covered by a new Met Office yellow warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms on Friday.

The warning, from midday to 9pm, means some homes and businesses are likely to flood, there could be delays to train services, and car and bus journeys may take longer.

It covers most of Wales, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, South West England, North West England, North East England, London, South East England, East of England and the East Midlands.

Check the weather forecast where you are

The Met Office said: "While many areas will miss the heaviest downpours, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during Friday afternoon and evening.

"The focus of showers and thunderstorms will be over northern England and much of Wales during the early afternoon before extending over central and eastern England through the afternoon.

"Thunderstorms will bring 10-20mm of rain in a short period in a few places with 30-40mm possible should anywhere see repeated downpours. Lightning and hail will be additional hazards in a few locations. Heavy showers and thunderstorms will gradually ease during Friday evening."

Flood alerts

Meanwhile, 12 areas in the West and East Midlands are covered by Environment Agency flood alerts.

Heavy downpours and potential gales are forecast over the bank holiday weekend, with the Met Office urging festivalgoers to prepare for windy conditions.

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "For most areas of the UK, there is at least a chance of a heavy downpour through Friday. Some of these bring the continued risk of thunderstorms."

Saturday also looks wet and experts believe that only the very far north-east of Scotland will entirely miss the rainfall.

People going to Reading and Leeds festivals, Creamfields and other live music events have also been warned of unseasonably strong winds.

On Saturday, gusts of up to 35mph are possible on the south coast.

The worst of the wet weather will be in the North West, Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland on Sunday.

It comes as the UK is set for its hottest summer on record after five heatwaves, with temperatures of up to 38.1C recorded in London, the Met Office has previously said.

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Following a National Drought Group meeting on Thursday, the Environment Agency said 71.3% of England remains in drought.

It said August has received only 34% of the expected rainfall so far.

Also, wildfires are spreading over larger areas, burning for longer and drawing closer to homes, according to analysis of this year's fires by Sky News' Data and Forensics team.

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