Severe thunderstorm alert after 31C weekend in the New Forest

THE current heatwave is set to make way for a severe thunderstorm, with the Met Office issuing a weather warning for the region.

The warning follows a baking hot weekend, with temperatures in the New Forest hitting 31C yesterday.

However, the national weather service has said there is “significant uncertainty” over the exact time and place of the storms, and has included the whole country in its yellow alert, which runs from today (Monday) until Thursday.

The warning says there is a "small chance" homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes and large hail.

The Met Office adds that:

• Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to public transport.
• Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and increased chance of accidents.
• There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
• There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life

Deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, Dan Harris, said: “Whilst the extreme heat is likely to gradually decline through next week, we are also expecting the risk of thunderstorms to increase, with the potential for downpours of up to 80mm in just a few hours. On any particular day however, a lot of places will miss these altogether.

“We’ve issued a broad thunderstorm warning for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for all parts of the UK, since although the ingredients are there, it's just too early to pinpoint the details of exactly where and when thunderstorms will occur.

"As such, we will be monitoring the developing signals closely and I urge people to keep a close eye on Met Office warnings and forecasts over the coming days.”