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Flood warnings and storms to temper UK heatwave - Met Office Flood warnings and storms to temper UK heatwave - Met Office
(about 3 hours later)
Storms and flash flooding could hit many parts of England and Wales in the next 24 hours, forecasters are warning.Storms and flash flooding could hit many parts of England and Wales in the next 24 hours, forecasters are warning.
An amber "be prepared" warning for heavy and thundery showers has been issued by the Met Office.An amber "be prepared" warning for heavy and thundery showers has been issued by the Met Office.
There are also 59 flood alerts across the Midlands, South East, South West and East regions. The Environment Agency has 59 flood alerts across most of England, and is warning of intense downfalls of rain.
It comes after much of the country saw sunshine and hot weather on Friday, with temperatures in Gravesend, Kent, reaching 32.3C (90F), a high for 2014.It comes after much of the country saw sunshine and hot weather on Friday, with temperatures in Gravesend, Kent, reaching 32.3C (90F), a high for 2014.
The Met Office amber warning is in effect for most parts of England and Wales, except for the far north, west and eastern regions. But all other parts of the UK, except for the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland, are subject to a yellow "be aware" warning for rain. 'Torrential downpours'
The Met Office says the next day will also see a very warm and humid air mass across the UK becoming "increasingly unstable", leading to more intense thunderstorms. The Met Office amber warning is in effect for most parts of England and Wales, except for the far north, west and eastern regions.
Several areas saw rain on Friday night and the wet weather will begin to move northwards during the day. it added. But all other parts of the UK, except for the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland, are subject to a yellow "be aware" warning for rain.
But it said: "Not everywhere within the warning area will see thunderstorms, and indeed some spells of warm sunshine are expected at times, but where thunderstorms do form, some torrential downpours are likely with frequent lightning, large hail and locally strong gusts. The Met Office says a very warm and humid air mass across the UK will become "increasingly unstable", leading to more intense thunderstorms.
"Significant flooding is possible where these do occur from surface water as well as from small, fast-responding watercourses." Several areas saw rain on Friday night and the wet weather will begin to move northwards during the day, it ads.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "We're expecting heavy thundery showers through the weekend with the potential for torrential downpours, large hail, frequent lightning and locally strong gusts.
"Not everywhere will see thunderstorms but where they do form we could see significant rainfall in a short space of time, which could cause localised flooding."
Heat alert
The Environment Agency, meanwhile, predicts that 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour in some areas during the downpours.
Environment minister Dan Rogerson said the agency was working closely with local authorities to prepare for any resulting flooding.
The Open golf championship at Hoylake on Merseyside will use a two-tee start for the first time in its history because of the risk of thunderstorms.
Play will start from both the first and 10th tees to allow for the third round to be completed even if there are delays of up to five hours.
The second cricket Test between England and India at Lord's could also be affected, with spectators being warned to expect storm interruptions.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow heat-health alert for southern and eastern England and the Midlands, meaning "alert and readiness".
This is triggered when there is a 60% or more chance of heatwave conditions.
The Met Office said: "Heavy thunderstorms in eastern areas on Saturday will lead to slightly lower maximum temperatures, but it will still be very humid."
Lightning strikes
Public Health England (PHL) said the hot weather would continue across much of England this weekend and is urging people to keep up to date with weather forecasts.
PHL director for health protection Dr Paul Cosford said: "Prolonged heat poses a particular risk to the old, young and those with heart and lung conditions, who may feel the effects of hot weather more acutely than others.
"Heat-health warnings are worth repeating and although rain is forecast for the weekend it also will remain very warm in a number of places."
The sweltering temperatures that ended the week came after lightning struck the UK more than 3,000 times in the early hours of Friday.The sweltering temperatures that ended the week came after lightning struck the UK more than 3,000 times in the early hours of Friday.
The storms forecast could affect the second Test between England and India at Lord's, with spectators already being warned to expect interruptions. The first floor and roof of a house in Sittingbourne, Kent, was set alight by a strike, while a bungalow's roof was hit in Whitstable.
The Environment Agency, meanwhile, predicts that 30mm of rain could fall in an hour in some areas during the downpours. Houses were struck in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, while lightning also started several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford.
Environment minister Dan Rogerson said the EA was working closely with local authorities to prepare for any resulting flooding. If you are affected by the storms, you can get in touch by emailing talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk. Please include the term 'Storms' in the subject line of your message.
The Met Office has also issued a heat health alert for southern England and the Midlands, warning that "heavy thunderstorms in eastern areas on Saturday will lead to slightly lower maximum temperatures, but it will still be very humid". Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Public Health England said elderly people and those with long-term illnesses should take particular care and has renewed its advice. Read the terms and conditions