UK Weather Forecast: Severe Weather with Storms and Lightning Expected Nationwide This Weekend

UK weather forecast shows that severe weather with storms, thunder, and lightning may occur nationwide this weekend, replacing several weeks of warm weather. This short-term forecast is based on the country's Meteorological Office, which predicted that increased humidity and potential thundery weather are in store for the coming days, especially on Sunday, September 17.

The forecast comes as Hurricane Lee is traversing the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, wherein the storm threatens the northeastern United States and eastern Canada on the same weekend. While the hurricane may not directly impact the UK at this time, the Met Office highlights the possibility of windy, wet weather across the country in its long-term weather forecast.

UK Severe Weather

In a press release on Friday, September 15, the Met Office reported a growing potential for some disruptive weather in multiple parts of the UK this weekend, as humid air moves north and brings the risk of thunderstorms. In this context, "National Severe Weather Warnings" are possible, according to the media release.

The UK weather agency explains that a weakening weather front will split the country on Saturday, September 16, with the northern part to be under cool weather conditions and the southern areas to remain mostly dry with sunlight due to humid air and light winds. However, there is a threat of some showers with the rumble of thunder in the southern and western part of Great Britain.

According to Deputy Chief meteorologist, Rebekah Sherwin, the significant change in the UK weather will occur from Saturday evening as the increasing humid air will move northward from the south, bringing thunderstorms and heavy downpours. From there, heavy rain and thunderstorms will spread across the country throughout Sunday, as cited by the weather agency.

Long-Term Forecast

The Met Office issued a long-term forecast, stating that the "humid and thundery air mass" will be pushed away toward the east on Monday, September 18, with further spells of rainfall traversing the UK from the west.

Furthermore, the forecast indicates the likelihood of wet and windy weather beyond the middle of next week, as long-term weather in the UK becomes more uncertain.

Yet, the only certainty is that the country may experience the remaining brunt of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June to November each year, affecting countries in the Northern Hemisphere such as the UK, US, Canada, and even mainland Europe, in some occasions in the past.

According to the website Severe Weather Europe on Thursday, September 14, Storm Margot is forecast to shift towards Europe and potentially impact Ireland and the UK next week. Earlier in September, Margot was hovering in the Atlantic Ocean with Hurricane Lee.

In 2022, several storms struck the UK that led to multiple deaths and widespread power outages, with Storm Eunice being labelled as the "worst storm in decades."