Overview

• A yellow thunderstorm warning runs from 9pm on Friday until 6pm on Saturday across large parts of England, with locally torrential rain, lightning and hail expected to disrupt travel and power supplies.
• An Atlantic low-pressure system has broken the third summer heatwave this week, bringing cooler temperatures, bands of rain and gusty winds to regions still under hosepipe bans.
• Forecasters predict a brief lull in unsettled weather before a fourth heatwave arrives late July, with peak temperatures likely to exceed 32°C in south-eastern England.
• Record-dry conditions have prompted water companies such as Southern Water and South East Water to enforce hosepipe bans in areas including Hampshire, Kent and Sussex to protect dwindling supplies.
• The Environment Agency warns of possible widespread drought by September, prompting coordinated action by the National Drought Group to manage strained reservoirs and water-use restrictions.