Britain’s three-day 86F heatwave set to end as Met Office predicts flooding, lightning and storms

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Britain’s short-lived 86F September heatwave came to a crashing end on Wednesday as searing sunshine gives way to lightning, flash floods and power cuts as a severe weather warning was put in place across parts of the country. 

Thunderstorms and heavy rain lashed parts of the south-west of England yesterday morning, with a Plymouth primary school evacuated when staff told of a burning smell after the side of the school building was apparently struck by lightning.

In south Devon, a crafty kayaker has been pictured paddling down a flooded street in Salcombe after the coastal town was battered by flash floods and power cuts – with eyewitnesses reporting the town was ‘under several feet of water’. 

Low pressure heading north-bound from the Atlantic is expected to sweep away any remaining sunshine and bring with it heavy rainfall, before the prolonged period of heat can be officially declared a heatwave.

However, thousands of Britons flocked to parks and beaches to lap up the final rays of summer sun as temperatures hit 87.2F in Gogerddan, Wales – just the seventh time the mercury has exceeded 86F in September in the last 50 years. 

The late blast of warm weather will see temperatures reach 86F according to the Met Office,  but comes too late for many children to fully enjoy with millions returning to classrooms this week after a damp and dreary staycation summer.  

The high temperatures came as the UK was braced for storms, with heavy showers expected on Wednesday afternoon and a yellow weather warning issued in most areas on Thursday.

Central, eastern and northern parts of England are expected to remain dry throughout Wednesday, with central England in particular expected to bake in near record-breaking September sun. 

The western and southern regions can expect a cloudier day, with showers – some heavy and thunderstorm – predicted throughout the late morning and early afternoon. 

But, the scorching start to September looks set to be heading to an abrupt end, with a yellow weather warning in place amid fears of flash flooding, thunderstorms and travel disruption.

Heavy rain arrived in the Plymouth and South West Devon area including Newton Ferrers shortly after 9am on Wednesday, after the Met Office issued an amber weather warning for the region.

PC Emma Buley said: ‘Flash floods in Salcombe this morning has affected dozens of businesses. Please be careful driving if you get caught in the rain today.’

Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesman, said: ‘It’s looking like a mixed picture for much of the country this week. We’re seeing high pressure bringing with it high temperatures before eventually breaking down, bringing with it intense lightning activity and downpours across the south west region.

‘By Thursday, conditions will see temperatures drop further, to around the mid-20s, with potential showers, clear breaks and being brighter in areas.’ 

Videos filmed in Salcombe showed the main shopping street swamped with water, while a kayaker was also pictured paddling past the shops.

Another video, also filmed in the town, showed people wading through the floodwater next to stationary vehicles. It is understood the rain fell for just five minutes before flooding was reported.

Forecasters are predicting a risk of properties flooding across Northern Ireland and the South West, Midlands and North of England, as well as potential hail and thunderstorms battering much of the nation later this week.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the area on Wednesday, warning that homes and businesses could be flooded.

It added: ‘Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

‘There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads. There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.’

It is understood the fallout from Hurricane Ida – which has torn across southern states in the US – has forced a change in the UK after weeks of dull grey skies and rain caused by high pressure.

Ida sent warm, humid air into the North Atlantic, which meteorologists said can have the effect of pepping up weather systems already in place. 

On Monday, temperatures hit 84F in Larkhill, Wiltshire, closely followed by the 83.8F recorded at Santon Downham, Suffolk, and 83.6F at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

Experts have placed a weather warning for heavy rain and lightning across Devon, Cornwall and parts of South Wales from 11am on Wednesday.

That alert is then extended across much of the UK, encompassing Wales, West Midlands and the entire North of England from Thursday. 

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: ‘The hot and clear weather currently being experienced across large parts of the UK is forecast to break down through the middle of the week as showers and thunderstorms arrive.

‘These will initially affect the southwest of the UK on Wednesday, before moving steadily north and developing across most areas through Thursday and Friday.

‘Thunderstorm warnings have been issued across a number of areas to highlight the potential for isolated impacts, including surface water flooding of homes and businesses, disruption to transport, and very isolated damage to infrastructure from lightning or hail.

‘The semi-random nature of showers and thunderstorms means that many places will not see any thunderstorms at all, so it’s not possible at this range to be more precise about the locations at risk, or indeed be more confident about the potential for impacts.’

But, the Met Office’s longer range weather forecast shows that a tropical storm due to cross the Atlantic later this month could affect UK-wide temperatures.