Thunderstorm warnings covered much of the UK on Sunday 30 August, with forecasters warning that some areas could receive up to 40mm of rain within a matter of hours as bank holiday crowds gathered at major outdoor events.
Yellow alerts came into force at 11am across Northern Ireland, Wales, southern Scotland and large parts of England. The Met Office said gusts could reach 45mph, while intense downpours brought the risk of difficult driving conditions, travel delays and localised flooding.
Some of the most unsettled weather was expected across western areas, southern Scotland and northern England, with frequent lightning, hail and longer spells of rain possible. The south and east were forecast to retain brighter intervals, although showers could not be ruled out.
In South Shields, lightning was photographed striking close to Souter Lighthouse after months of unusually dry weather. The National Trust site is at Whitburn, on the Tyne and Wear coast.
Despite the conditions, crowds continued to turn out for Notting Hill Carnival in west London, where revellers used umbrellas, cardboard and plastic ponchos to shelter from the rain.
Sunday was the carnival’s family day, traditionally held ahead of the main parade, and marchers took to the streets carrying flags including those of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Barbados and Jamaica.
The event is marking its 60th anniversary this year, having first been staged in 1966. Transport for London lists the carnival as taking place on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August, with travel, road and walking arrangements affected in the Notting Hill area. ([tfl.gov.uk](https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events?intcmp=25505&utm_source=openai))
Thunderstorm warnings disrupt bank holiday events
Music fans faced similar conditions at Reading and Leeds Festival, where ponchos, umbrellas and muddy footwear became essential after heavy showers swept across the sites.
At Reading, some festivalgoers played in puddles and threw mud at one another, while others sought shelter beneath plastic coverings. The official festival website confirmed that the event was running from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August at Richfield Avenue. ([readingfestival.com](https://www.readingfestival.com/news/first-timers-guide-is-now-here?utm_source=openai))
Creamfields and other live music events were also affected by warnings of unseasonably strong winds, with organisers and visitors facing the prospect of wet and difficult conditions.
Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said people should keep an umbrella close by, warning of “heavy, intense downpours, frequent lightning, rumbles of thunder and also some hail mixed in”.
She said showers would focus mainly on the west during the afternoon, with some developing into longer bands of rain over southern Scotland and northern England. Strong winds were expected particularly in the south-west, where the air could feel cool beneath the heaviest rain.
The rain also interrupted England’s Test match against Pakistan at Lord’s in London, where play was halted.
Environment Agency flood alerts were in place in several areas, including the River Stour in Worcestershire, the Tidal Fal estuary and parts of the south Cornwall coast. The alerts meant flooding was possible, particularly in low-lying locations.
The unsettled conditions followed a prolonged spell of hot, dry weather across the country. Temperatures were forecast to reach 23C in Norwich, 22C in London and Hull, 21C in Cardiff and 18C in Glasgow.
Ms Chalk said bank holiday Monday was expected to bring a largely fine and dry afternoon in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although showers would remain possible in some areas.
