Thunderstorms weather warning covers almost entire UK as pupils head back to school

Tomorrow could see scenes like this again (Picture: London News Pictures)

The UK is set for a drenching on the first day back to school, with warnings for thunderstorms covering the length of the country from Somerset to Aberdeen today.

A warnings map for severe weather shows the country as a mass of yellow, with flooding, lightning and disruption on the way.

The warning is in place the whole day, carrying over from last night and going on until midnight.

It comes on a Monday morning as millions of children will be starting school again after the long summer break, so make sure your children take a raincoat with them and maybe an umbrella in their backpack.

Yesterday also saw storms in places, though temperatures also pushed 30C in the south east despite summer officially being over and meteorological autumn beginning.

The Met Office said: ‘On Monday, areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to be ongoing from overnight and expected to continue to affect parts of the UK through the day.

‘The focus for thunderstorms and impacts is expected to gradually move east later in the day.

‘The extent of these thunderstorms remains very uncertain and whilst many places will miss them, some places may see 30 to 40 mm of rain fall in less than an hour and perhaps over 60-80 mm in one or two places.

‘Frequent lightning strikes and hail will be additional hazards.’

They urged people to think about if their location is at risk from flash flooding, and consider preparing an emergency kit and plan if so.

‘Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary,’ they added.

A man relaxing in a deckchair in Green Park on Friday (Picture: Shutterstock)

Those finding themselves outside in the thunderstorm should try to find somewhere safe to shelter, such as a car, but not a tree or other tall structures which could be hit.

‘If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground.’

By Tuesday, warnings have been lifted but the weather will ‘remain changeable through the period, with further spells of rain or showers’.

There should be some drier and brighter interludes developing by Wednesday as pupils head back to school at the end of the summer break.

London is set to see a return to average temperatures in a ‘changeable’ period for weather with some showers at times.

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