Thunderstorms threaten sporting events across UK as Met Office issues yellow weather warning

England’s hunt for Australian wickets was halted by the weather at Headingley, with the third morning of the third Ashes Test washed out. Credit: PA

The UK is facing thunderstorms and heavy rain as forecasts that the country could see the hottest of the year were changed.

Temperatures were initially predicted to reach 33C on Saturday – the hottest temperature this year.

But now a yellow thunderstorm warning is now in place for Saturday until midnight.

The latest ITV weather forecast for UK

The Ashes Test match at Headingley in Leeds has been disrupted by the weather.

Morning showers on Saturday meant no play was possible before lunch, which was brought forward to 12.30pm as ground staff began the cleaning up operation.

The match is poised on a knife edge, with the tourists 142 runs ahead after being reduced to 116 for four in their second innings.

Elsewhere, play could also be interrupted at Wimbledon, where Katie Boulter will fly the British flag as she plays Elena Rybakina.

Katie Boulter walks across a bridge on day five of Wimbledon. Credit: PA

What to expect?

A yellow weather warning means:

  • Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds

  • Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life

  • Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services

  • Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

  • Some communities might become cut off if roads flood

  • Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost

Rain covers on the pitch at Headingley as the start of play is delayed. Credit: PA

Simon Partridge, Met Office forecaster, said: "On Saturday we’ve got very warm, very muggy, very humid air across the UK, we now have this cold front which is just starting to move into the warm muggy air.

"Thunderstorms started from about 7am, there’s been very heavy downpours already, we’re expecting it to continue throughout the afternoon, the main focus will be the north of the Midlands.

"Heavy downpours are possible, particularly if you get two or three together in the space of a couple of hours.

"There is the potential for up to 50mm of rain in a few spots, most likely heavy downpours and difficult driving conditions.

"We will be keeping an eye on it in case there’s a need to upgrade the warning this afternoon to amber."

Cooler air will come through overnight and into Sunday, and temperatures will be lower with a maximum of 25 or 26C predicted, but it will be sunnier.

Showers will develop through Sunday afternoon, with south-west England, Wales and Northern Ireland potentially seeing rain.

Another yellow thunderstorm warning is in place for Northern Ireland on Sunday between 10am and 9pm, and there is the potential for heavy showers, the Met Office said.

Into next week it will be unsettled with rain on Monday and thunderstorms expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The temperature will reach the low-to-mid 20s in the early part of next week, the forecaster said.

Mr Partridge added: "It won’t be as warm, as humid, and it will be a bit more changeable which probably won’t be good news for people at Wimbledon."

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