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Bank holiday weekend weather: Flash floods forecast after late May heatwave

Forecasters are warning of thunder, hailstones and flooding this Bank Holiday after the country basked in the hottest temperatures of the year so far.

Varied predictions for an extraordinarily turbulent bank holiday's weather include yellow warnings issued by the Met Office for possible flooding of roads in southern England, as well as the possibility of record high temperatures.

While torrential rain is predicted, the sunshine which does break through between storms will be more powerful than usual. Professor John O’Hagan, of Public Health England said: “UV levels may be higher than usual due to a predicted reduction in ozone this week, so people should take care when outside. Use common sense and know the limits of your skin, don’t stay out in strong sun too long.

Young boys play in the mud, at Weston-super-Mare beach - Credit: Ben Birchall/PA
Young boys play in the mud at Weston-super-Mare beach, Somerset Credit: Ben Birchall/PA

“Wear wraparound sunglasses and a hat, cover up with light clothing and, if you need to, stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day and use sunscreen that’s at least factor 15, which also has good UV-A protection.''

Some experts believe there is a chance that the national record for the hottest May day will be broken this weekend. Grahame Madge from the Met Office said today: "Whether we'll see that magic 30 we're not sure, it might just get there."

27/5/17 between 4.30am and 5am is a dramatic lightning storm over Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower as the sun rises - Credit: Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com
Lightning strikes close to the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth at dawn on Saturday Credit: Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com

The highest temperatures this weekend are expected to be seen in Scotland, where on Friday the mercury hit 29.4º C. The record of 32.8º C in May was set on May 22, 1922 at Camden Square, London, and equalled on May 29, 1944, at Horsham, West Sussex, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and Regent's Park, London. Met Office records began in 176 years ago in 1841.

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said there was “a chance” of breaking the record. But the official forecast anticipates the high temperatures enjoyed during the week to drop by around three degrees to the mid-20s on Sunday and down as low as 10º C in Scotland on Monday.

Lightning strikes over Poole harbour in Dorset as thunderstorms swept across parts of south west England - Credit: Martin Keene/PA
A flash of lightning over Poole harbour in the early hours of Saturday Credit: Martin Keene/PA

Meteorologist Stephen Keates said a north/south split across the country on Sunday would see clearer skies in Scotland but heavy rain pushing up from the Channel towards East Anglia. The Met Office issued yellow warnings for today’s band of “torrential” rain and said the thundery outbreaks will also bring the possibility of localised flooding, which could cause travel disruption.

Mr Keates added: “Tomorrow in the south and the Home Counties we may see heavy rain, frequent lightning and maybe some hail thrown in for good measure - some really nasty conditions, potentially.” He explained that despite the heat, hailstones could form as air is forced between higher and lower latitudes in tall thunderclouds.

On its website the Met Office yellow warning for heavy rain in the south of England on Monday read: “There are early indications that this could result in some disruption, with sudden flooding of roads, transport routes, homes and business possible.”

Another front is set to move in from the west bringing more cloud and rain in time for the return to work on Tuesday.

Bank Holiday Weekend Weather, in pictures
Bank Holiday Weekend Weather, in pictures