The Met Office has issued fresh yellow thunderstorm warnings across parts of the UK on Thursday, with forecasters warning that heavy downpours could bring localised flash flooding, travel disruption, and up to 75mm (3in) of rain in the hardest-hit areas.

According to the Met Office, the first warning came into force at 02:00 BST as thunder and heavy rain moved across south-east England during the early hours. A second warning covering a broader swathe of England and Wales took effect at 06:00 BST and remains in place until 22:00, with forecasters cautioning that downpours may become slow-moving through the afternoon and evening.

Thursday began with wet conditions across southern England and south Wales, bringing lightning, hail, and squally winds. Those showers are tracking northwards across mid and north Wales, the Midlands, and eastern England, before reaching northern England by early afternoon.

Where the heaviest rain falls, large hail, lightning, and gusty winds could lead to hazardous driving conditions, road closures, and isolated communities being cut off, while temperatures continue to feel humid.

As the primary band of downpours clears northwards, skies are expected to brighten with sunny intervals, though further heavy and thundery scattered showers may develop later. Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some rain arrive later in the day, though northern regions are expected to escape the heaviest conditions.

While the rainfall is welcome across the large areas of England and Wales currently experiencing drought, the dry, compacted ground increases the risk of flash flooding. Experts have stressed that this rain will not end the dry spell, noting that several months of sustained wet weather will be necessary to properly replenish depleted water supplies.

The unsettled weather will continue into the bank holiday weekend for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, accompanied by windy conditions across the south. Several major outdoor events are taking place, including the Reading and Leeds Festivals, Creamfields in Cheshire, Manchester Pride, and London's Notting Hill Carnival.

The outlook for the weekend remains mixed, with a fresher feel, brisk winds in the south, and outbreaks of rain at times. A band of rain will track east across England and Wales on Saturday before brighter conditions arrive from the west, while Scotland and Northern Ireland should see slightly drier conditions with sunny spells.

Further heavy, thundery showers are forecast across most of the UK on Sunday, with gusts reaching 40 to 45mph in the far south-west later in the day. Low pressure will remain in control on Bank Holiday Monday, bringing strong winds and further showers, particularly across the north.

I will continue to monitor the forecast and provide updates as the bank holiday approaches.