Environment & Climate

Met Office issues thunderstorm warnings for England and Wales

Heavy rain, potential flash flooding, and strong winds are expected to impact travel and major events over the bank holiday weekend.

Updated Aug 26, 2026 · 20:25 UTC1 reports

The short version

The Met Office has issued multiple yellow thunderstorm warnings for Thursday, covering south-east England, the Midlands, and parts of Wales.
Potential impacts include localized flash flooding, hazardous driving conditions, power cuts from lightning, and travel disruptions.
The unsettled weather is projected to persist through the bank holiday weekend, affecting several high-profile outdoor festivals and events across the UK.

The first Met Office warning begins at 02:00 BST on Thursday for south-east England, followed by a second warning from 06:00 to 22:00 BST covering a wider portion of England and Wales.[BBC News]
Affected areas could see 20-30mm of rain in a few hours, with hills exposed to easterly winds potentially receiving up to 75mm.[BBC News]
Experts state that while the rainfall is welcome in drought-affected areas, months of persistent wet weather are required to fully replenish water supplies.[BBC News]
The wet and windy conditions coincide with several major events, including the Reading and Leeds Festivals, Creamfields, Manchester Pride, and the Notting Hill Carnival.[BBC News]

The exact timing and localized severity of the flash flooding remain uncertain, as dry and hard ground from the recent drought increases runoff unpredictability.[BBC News]