An amber weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued for parts of the United Kingdom, coming into effect tonight. Following a day of hot and humid conditions, the Met Office has forecast what it describes as "beefy showers" across many regions. The amber alert will begin at 8pm, impacting areas in the east of England, specifically stretching from Norfolk down to East Sussex. Forecasters caution that "fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life" in the affected zones.

Alongside the amber warning, a yellow warning for a broader swathe of the South, including London, is set to commence from 7pm. This will be followed by an even more extensive yellow warning starting at midnight tonight and lasting until 6pm on Saturday, covering the majority of Scotland, Wales, the west of England, and the North East. The Met Office indicates that a yellow warning carries a slight risk of power cuts, flash flooding, hail, and the potential for individuals to become cut off.

Temperatures across the UK are expected to remain high, with Cambridge forecast to reach 29C (84F), Canterbury 27C, and both Nottingham and Durham reaching 25C. In Scotland, Aviemore could see highs of 24C (75F) today. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin noted that much of Friday would be "hot and humid," with a "small chance" temperatures could hit 30C. If this occurs, it would mark today as the hottest day of 2025, surpassing the 29.3C recorded at Kew Gardens in west London on May 1st. This could mean parts of the UK experience warmer conditions than popular destinations like Ibiza, Mykonos, and Los Angeles.

Mr. Deakin further elaborated on the expected weather, warning of "beefy showers" in Wales and the west of England after a "humid start to what will be a very warm day for some on Friday." He highlighted the risks of hail, gusty winds, and localized flooding as skies cloud over into the afternoon and evening. While some areas under the warnings might escape the most severe weather, certain locations could experience torrential rain of 30-50mm in a very short period before conditions begin to settle on Saturday.

In response to the heat, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first yellow heat-health alert of the year. This alert is active until 8am on Sunday and applies to the east of England, East Midlands, London, and the South East. Under the joint weather-health alerting system by UKHSA and the Met Office, a yellow alert signifies a potential increase in the use of healthcare services by vulnerable populations. It specifically warns of a possible surge in vulnerable people accessing healthcare and poses health risks for individuals over 65, as well as those with pre-existing conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

While scientists have not yet assessed the specific role of global warming in this short-term event, the general scientific consensus anticipates an increase in heavy downpours as the climate continues to change. This is primarily because hotter air has a greater capacity to hold moisture, leading to more intense rainfall when precipitation occurs.

(c) Sky News 2025: 'Danger to life' weather warning for thunderstorms set to hit UK