Heatwave Breaks in Thunderstorms and Flood Warnings
The heatwave that pushed temperatures to 38.1C is breaking in thunderstorms, with the Met Office warning of hail, lightning and flash flooding across much of the country. London is still forecast to reach around 30C on the changeover day. Forecasters caution that sudden downpours on drought-hardened ground raise the risk of flash floods.
The abrupt switch from record heat to storms is characteristic of a warming climate, in which longer dry spells are punctuated by more violent rainfall, and the danger now inverts: baked, compacted ground sheds water rather than absorbing it, so heavy rain can trigger flash floods and overwhelm drains. The break brings relief to firefighters who have battled a summer of blazes and to farmers whose crops have wilted, but it will not quickly refill depleted reservoirs or lift the drought declared across much of England. Transport disruption from surface water and lightning is likely. The episode caps a fraught fortnight that forced the government to convene emergency meetings. Watch how severe the storms prove and whether the drought eases.