Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are threatening parts of Gloucestershire this weekend as the UK experiences a wave of muggy, unsettled weather. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for much of England from Friday through the weekend, alerting residents to the risk of sudden floods, hail, and dangerous lightning strikes that could disrupt travel and cause power outages.
These storms carry a serious risk to life due to the possibility of rapidly flowing, deep floodwaters that may isolate some communities by flooding roads. The warnings cover areas including Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Cirencester, Tewkesbury, and Winchcombe, though locations like the Forest of Dean, Newent, and Dursley remain unaffected.
Despite the impending storms, temperatures are expected to remain high, reaching up to 27°C in Gloucestershire on Friday and around 25°C on Saturday. In central and southern England, some places could see highs exceeding 30°C, contributing to a sticky and uncomfortable atmosphere.
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Jason Kelly, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, advises the public to stay updated as more warnings may be issued for the weekend and into early next week. “We are monitoring the situation closely as the warm and humid air mass could push temperatures above 30°C in parts of eastern England. This will likely continue to create conditions conducive to heavy and potentially dangerous thundery rain,” he explained.
During the warning period, from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday, motorists should be cautious as flooding and spray can create hazardous driving conditions, potentially leading to road closures. Property and businesses may also face damage from the severe weather.
The downpours are expected to persist into Sunday, gradually moving northwards. Meanwhile, some regions in the UK could still enjoy warmer, sunnier, and drier spells during the weekend.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill described the forecast as “quite uncomfortable,” highlighting the combination of heat and humidity. “In southern and eastern England, we expect some dry weather and sunshine, but the heat and humidity are likely to fuel heavy, widespread thundery showers by Saturday and Sunday,” he said.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant and monitor weather updates to prepare for a potentially disruptive and hazardous weekend.