Met Office pinpoints exactly when violent storms to bring brutal end to heatwave

Thunderstorms and downpours TODAY will bring a brutal end to the scorching heatwave, the Met Office has warned.

Brits had baked in 33.4C sunshine on Tuesday, with Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire and Benson in Oxfordshire among the warmest places. An amber heat health alert remains in place for the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, London, and East of England until 6pm today but, soon after this, the weather will change.

Storms are likely, especially across parts of northern England, and temperatures will fall sharply. The Met Office says weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain may be issued later today. It may serve as a relief to many as Brits complained this week of struggling to sleep due to the sweltering heat.

"By this evening, there is an increased risk of thunderstorms across northern areas, with the potential for some fairly wet weather. Whilst the exact location for these unsettled conditions remains uncertain, it’s possible a warning may be issued closer to the time," Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said.

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The forecaster continued: "Wednesday brings a more complex picture, with high temperatures but also the chance of thunderstorms arriving in the evening." The Met Office understands the heaviest storms are likely across Northern Ireland, Cumbria and western parts of Scotland, but rain is expected to be more widespread. Rain on Thursday is anticipated further south, although particularly heavy across Wales.

The all-time hottest August day was 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, on August 10, 2003, while the hottest day of 2025 so far was 35.8C, also in Faversham, on July 1. It beat June 21's peak of 33.2C, which was recorded in Charlwood in Surrey.

But Marco Petagna, another meteorologist at the Met Office, also warned rain is expected later today. He said: "Wednesday will be mostly dry with further very warm or hot sunshine, but we will see some showers... a few affecting Scotland during the day, which could turn heavy and thundery."

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But this may come as a relief because officials have warned England is suffering from "nationally significant" water shortfalls despite rain last month.

The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.

England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said.