Storms overnight follow Met weather warning
Thunderstorms with hail and lightning struck parts of southwestern England overnight after a Met Office yellow warning, following days of record-breaking temperatures, including 35.1C at Kew Gardens. The Climate Change Committee warned the UK must prepare for worsening extreme weather due to climate change, as models predict cooler conditions from Friday.
A Met Office yellow warning for thunderstorms covered southwestern England overnight, including Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire, until 23:59 BST on Wednesday. The region experienced thunder, lightning, and large hailstones, which damaged properties and triggered car alarms. The severe weather followed days of extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 30C across the UK. South Western Ambulance Service recorded 3,941 callouts on Tuesday, the highest ever for a single day, as heat health alerts remained in effect. The service advised staying hydrated, using sunscreen, and avoiding strenuous activity between 11:00 and 15:00. On Tuesday, the UK’s hottest May temperature was recorded for the second consecutive day at 35.1C in Kew Gardens, London. Climate experts attributed the heatwave to a ‘heat dome’ trapping warm air over Europe. The UK’s Climate Change Committee previously warned that extreme heatwaves, droughts, and floods are worsening due to climate change, threatening events like sports matches and festivals. The government was urged to improve preparedness for severe weather. Forecast models suggest cooler conditions will return gradually from Friday into the weekend, easing the current heat stress.
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