Weather

• A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued across large parts of the UK, including London, the Midlands, and the North East and West of England, from Friday evening until Saturday.
• The Met Office predicts torrential rain, with potential for 20-30mm in less than an hour and up to 90mm in three hours in some areas, which could cause travel disruption and flooding.
• This follows a period of high temperatures, with London forecast to reach 30C on Friday, and the incoming heat is described as more humid.
• Several water companies, including Southern Water, South East Water, and Thames Water, are implementing hosepipe bans across various regions of England.
• These restrictions are in response to exceptionally dry weather, with England experiencing its driest start to the year since 1976, and drought status declared in the East and West Midlands.