Thunderstorms and heavy rain will batter large parts of England and Wales on Thursday, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning amid fears of flooding and power cuts.
The warning runs from late morning until early evening, with forecasters predicting 30-40mm of rain could fall within hours during intense downpours. Lightning strikes and strong gusty winds of up to 30mph will accompany the storms.
Central and southern England will bear the brunt of the severe weather, alongside eastern and central Wales. The Midlands, South East, and parts of the South West face the highest risk of disruption from surface water flooding, particularly in urban areas with poor drainage.
Residents are being urged to secure garden furniture and check drains are clear. Motorists face treacherous conditions with reduced visibility and standing water making roads slippery and dangerous.
The Met Office advises drivers to allow extra time for journeys and consider whether travel is essential during the worst of the storms. Northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will largely escape the severe conditions, though scattered showers remain possible.
The dramatic change follows a mild start to the week, caused by low pressure moving across the country and interacting with warm, moist air. Despite the storms, temperatures will still reach 18-20°C in southern areas, though it will feel cooler under heavy cloud and rain.