Thunderstorms and 40mm downpours batter bank holiday Britain as warnings cover all four nations
Dozens of homes in Birmingham and beyond sustained flood damage as a record-breaking summer of five heatwaves gave way to lightning, torrential rain and widespread disruption.A festival-goer is rescued from the mud at Reading, where heavy, thundery showers are forecast to push into the site by Sunday evening.
Met Office yellow thunderstorm warnings are in force across virtually the entire UK this bank holiday Sunday, with forecasters warning of up to 40mm of rain within hours, wind gusts of 45mph, frequent lightning, hail and possible flooding. Meteorologist Kathryn Chalk urged Britons to keep 'that umbrella at hand' as heavy, intense downpours sweep westerly regions through the afternoon. Notting Hill Carnival's family day pressed ahead despite the deluge, with revellers shielding themselves with cardboard and ponchos as the 60th anniversary parade hit the streets. Ireland's Met Éireann also issued a yellow warning until 9pm, with thousands at the Electric Picnic festival in Co Laois bracing for thunderstorms and localised flooding.
Warnings cover England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — only parts of south-east England and northern Scotland escape the alerts.
The Met Office warns some homes and businesses face flooding, rail delays and potential short-term power cuts across affected zones.
Reading and Leeds Festival fans trudged through mud all weekend; Monday is forecast drier and brighter, though showers remain possible.
