UK weather maps show thunderstorms hitting 16 counties in just two hours – list

UK weather maps show thunderstorms hitting 16 counties in just two hours – list Heavy rain and lightning are coming this week, with the Met Office having already issued two weather warnings, and several areas could see thunderstorms across a wild two-hour period Thunderstorms are expected in the UK this week, with weather models showing at least 16 counties facing heavy rain and lightning across just two hours on Wednesday. BBC Weather says thundery showers are expected in southern parts of England and Wales tonight, before progressing slowly northwards tomorrow. Some showers are expected in Northern Ireland and southern Scotland by the afternoon and evening, the BBC adds. Further rain and thunderstorms should follow on Thursday, according to BBC Weather, with northern areas most at risk then. Weather modelling data suggests the south and south-east will see the worst of the thunderstorms at around 2pm on Wednesday, with London potentially in line for heavy rain. Just two hours later at 4pm on Wednesday, the models show potential thunderstorms stretching as far north as Staffordshire. In total, the data suggests 16 counties could see serious thunderstorms across those two hours. UK counties facing thunderstorms on Wednesday - Sussex - Surrey - Kent - Middlesex - Hampshire - Wiltshire - Buckinghamshire - Berkshire - Essex - Bedfordshire - Northamptonshire - Warwickshire - Leicestershire - Derbyshire - Staffordshire - Nottinghamshire Met Office weather forecast The Met Office forecast is very similar to BBC Weather, and predicts “heavy showers and thunderstorms” will develop tonight - and could potentially reach Northern Ireland before Wednesday. The Met Office adds for Wednesday: “Bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms will continue to move northwards through the day. Sunnier moments in between, where it will feel very warm and humid, especially in the south.” The Met Office has issued a weather warning for thunderstorms on Wednesday, spanning 59 areas across England and Wales. It is in place from 3am and lasts until 10pm. A second warned has been issued for Thursday. ‘Spanish plume’ causing thunderstorms BBC Weather said a “Spanish plume type of system” could be responsible for the thunderstorms this week. ‘Spanish plume’ is a meteorological term referring to warm air moving northward from Spain which rises and cools, leading to the formation of thunder clouds in the UK The Met Office explains: “As cooler air spreads from the west, instability increases and the very warm air rises through the cooler air, enhancing the formation of thunderstorms.” Despite this, temperatures are expected to remain above average this week - potentially peaking at 28C in southern areas on Wednesday.