Thunderstorms and heavy rain to hit UK over weekend

On Friday and into the early hours of Saturday, around 8,000 lightning strikes were recorded across southern England.

Intense downpours brought some localised flash flooding.

Damage was also reported in Hampshire where the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation confirmed a tornado ripped through Aldershot.

Further thunderstorms on Saturday could bring similar conditions with a yellow warning from the Met Office valid all day for Wales, central and southern England.

Gusty winds and hail may accompany the downpours, with the possibility of local flash flooding.

However, thunderstorms will be hit or miss, meaning that some locations will escape them altogether. Where they do occur, as much as 50mm (2in) of rain could fall.

Heavy showers and storms will continue through the night into Sunday where there is another Met Office yellow warning for rain valid all day.

Not everywhere will experience bad weather, however.

Throughout the weekend and into early next week, Scotland, Northern Ireland and areas around the Irish Sea are expected to experience drier and calmer conditions.

There will be plenty of sunshine and pleasant temperatures. However, make the most of it, as it will not be long before the autumn chill arrives.