Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warning as rain and thunder to hit after mini-heatwave

A 10-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office for Sunday, May 12 for parts of western England and Wales. It comes as the UK looks set to experience its hottest day of the year so far.

Areas set to be hit with heavy rain showers, thunder and possibly lightning include Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff and Swansea. The warning also stretches south to areas such as Oxford, Bath and Exeter.

The warning is in place from 12pm on Sunday afternoon until 10pm that evening. In its warning, the Met Office said: “Heavy showers and thunderstorms could lead to some disruption in places, especially to travel. Isolated property flooding is possible.”

The thunderstorms look likely to hit after what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far. Temperatures in the south may reach 26ºC, with temperatures still reaching into the low 20ºCs further north.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson said: “Many places will start fine and warm on Sunday, though it is likely to become cloudier from the west or southwest during the day. This will be accompanied by scattered showers, which could be heavy with thunder.

“On Monday we're likely to see more widespread and longer-lived spells of rain, some of which will be heavy and thundery. This will also lead to a much cooler feel to the day.”