UK weather – UK braces for floods as yellow weather warnings issued across England and Wales with travel chaos expected

THE UK will be hit with floods from today with yellow weather warnings in place across England and Wales.

Friday marked the end of England's unprecedented extreme heat warning that saw temperatures reach a scorching 32C.

But now according to the Met Office, heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop across southern parts over the weekend, before edging further north by Monday.

There is a thunderstorm warning in place for the southeast today with transport disruption expected.

The Met office has warned that pray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures over the weekend.

They added that where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

Finally they warned that because of the storm power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

The wet weather comes after a hot, mostly dry week; England recorded its hottest temperature of the year on Tuesday, with 32.2C recorded at Heathrow Airport in west London.

New highs of the year were also recorded in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A heat warning remains in place in Northern Ireland.

Earlier this week, Devon and Cornwall Police said that “most” parts of the South West of England had been put on amber wildfire alert.

However, on a graphic showing the highest-risk areas, the two counties were almost entirely engulfed by a red "high" or "very high" alert.

With a history of moorland fires and farmland infernos, the Devon and Cornwall have already seen several this year.

In February, a fire ravaged through Dartmoor in what was suspected to be an arson attack.

People could see the blaze from about 20 miles away in Plymouth as the flames lit up the night sky.

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The heat resulted in roads "melting like chocolate" and train lines buckling earlier in the week even prompted the Met Office to issue its first-ever extreme heat warning.

Forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for Saturday and Sunday, covering most of England and Wales.

It warns of a risk of flooding, "difficult driving conditions" and potential power cuts, as well as loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

Stephen Dixon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: "Late on Friday, a band of heavy and thundery rain will migrate from the south-west of the country."

And there was the potential of up to 100mm of rain in some locations over the weekend, such as either side of the Bristol Channel.

However, Northern Ireland and Scotland look set to hold on to higher temperatures for longer, with both expected to be relatively dry and fine with temperatures in the low 20s.

SECOND SIZZLER

Although the blistering heatwave is expected to end this weekend, it is just on pause with a second sizzler set for early next month.

The Met Office predicts: "Into early August, warmer and drier-than-average conditions look likely to return for much of the UK.'

"By mid-August confidence becomes rather low, but with changeable conditions most likely.

"Above-average temperatures continue to be signalled for much of the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot at times in the south."

Bookies have slashed odds to just 10/11 on this month being the hottest July on record.

Meanwhile, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) said it is aware of 18 incidents of accidental loss of life in the water between July 17-20.

The latest victim was a teenager who had gone missing in the River Dee on Thursday afternoon.

There was also another report of people going missing in the water.

Lee Heard, RLSS UK's charity director, said: "Whilst we recognise how tempting it is to cool off in the UK's beautiful waterways, they hide hazards that tragically take lives each year and we urge the public to use caution when entering the water, getting acclimatised to the water temperature before jumping in.

"The Royal Life Saving Society UK urge everyone to learn vital skills and knowledge to prevent future accidental drownings."

"The difference between the air temperature and water temperature can literally take your breath away; this is called cold water shock. It is silent, invisible and deadly.

"Water can also hide debris, strong currents and sudden changes in depth that can catch out even the strongest swimmers.

"The Royal Life Saving Society UK urge everyone to learn vital skills and knowledge to prevent future accidental drownings."