STORMS BREWING
BRITAIN is braced for severe thunderstorms next week as “danger to life” warnings are issued right across the country.
Homes and businesses could be damaged by flooding, lightning and hailstones, forecasters warned.
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After boiling temperatures in the past few days the Met Office issued a yellow warning for "torrential" rain to hit many parts of the country.
"Power cuts" and "other services to some homes and businesses could be lost," it warned, adding that there is a chance that fast flowing or deep floodwater could pose a "danger to life."
The thunderstorms that are forecast from Monday to Wednesday are said to be "severe" for a number of areas, although the location of the worst hit areas are not yet known.
Dan Harris, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said thunderstorms are on the way, with some places likely to be hit with up to 80mm of rain in just a few hours.
He said: "We've issued a broad thunderstorm warning for Monday and Tuesday for all parts of the UK, since although the ingredients are there, it's just too early to pinpoint the details of exactly where and when thunderstorms will occur.
"As such, we will be monitoring the developing signals closely and I urge people to keep a close eye on Met Office warnings and forecasts over the coming days."
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Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, consultant in public health at Public Health England, said: "This summer, many of us are spending more time at home due to Covid-19.
"A lot of homes can overheat, so it's important we continue to check on older people and those with underlying health conditions, particularly if they're living alone and may be socially isolated."
The current heatwave is expected to continue towards the end of next week, as thousands flocked to the nation’s beaches.
Cops though turned around many due to “red alert” overcrowding fears.
The top temperature today was recorded at Frittenden, Kent, as the mercury hit 34.5C.
This afternoon, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's beach check app showed 18 of its beaches on red alert, warning people to avoid the areas because safe social distancing was not possible.
And further west in Dorset, police were turning furious drivers away from Durdle Door as roads in Lulworth shut because of the volume of visitors.
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It comes as emergency services fear they'll be inundated as many head for beaches around the country.
The UK sizzled during the hottest August day for almost 20 years yesterday.
Heathrow and Kew Gardens reached a high of 36.4 degrees - making it the hottest day in August since 2003, and the fifth hottest on record.
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