Blistering heatwave to come to an end this evening as Met Office issues warnings

Just when you thought it was safe to put the big coat away

After a truly miserable April of weather, Brits had hoped things were looking up as temperatures finally rose and the rain went away at the start of this week.

But it looks like, as usual, we may have got ahead of ourselves, and many may need to prepare for some more inclement weather in the coming days.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.

The warnings are in place for the southeast and southwest of England, south Wales and parts of East Anglia.

For the southwest and Wales, the warning starts at 8pm on this evening (May1) and lasts until 8am on Thursday (May 2).

Meanwhile, for southeast England and parts of East Anglia, the warning is in place from 11pm to 6am.

The Met Office says: "Thunderstorms are likely at times later this evening and overnight, leading to travel disruption and some flooding.

"Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

"There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost. There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds."

It's not bad news for all Brits though, as the north of the country looks set to stay warm and dry.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "We have a weather front moving north, coming up across the south west, and then later in the evening we have some air pushing in from the near continent, so two discrete weather systems.

"So some potentially heavier rain more widespread with the threat of thunderstorms and then the air from the near continent into the south east and up across London and further north again bringing the risk of thunderstorms, perhaps more isolated thunderstorms.

"Those bring the risk of lightning, hail, thunder, obviously, and isolated heavy downpours.” Elsewhere, there is certainly drier weather in the north and it is trending warmer."

The weather is set to remain "uncertain" going into the bank holiday weekend and looking ahead to next week.

This comes after Amy Bokota, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, had said: “Temperatures have been below average for the last couple of weeks, so certainly by the time we get to Wednesday…temperatures will be warmer.

“It might not be the sort of glorious sort of heatwave that we’re hoping for … but there probably will be some more pleasant and warmer weather for some people as we head towards the end of the week.”

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