Amber thunderstorm warning for east and south-east England

The UK has had its warmest day of the year so far after weather warnings were issued for thunderstorms this weekend.

The highest temperature was 29.4C recorded in village Santon Downham in West Suffolk, according to Met Office provisional figures.

It comes as an amber weather warning is due to come in force for parts of eastern and south-eastern England from 20:00 BST on Friday night.

The Met Office has warned flooding of homes and power cuts are likely, as are cancellations to train and bus services and difficult road conditions.

Friday exceeded the 29.3C recorded in Kew, London, on 1 May.

Scotland also had its warmest day of the year so far with 25.7C recorded at Lossiemouth in Moray.

It comes as an amber warning for thunderstorms has been issued for an area in the east and south-east from Eastbourne, Sussex, in the south up to Cromer in north Norfolk.

The Met Office said some places within the area covered by its amber warning could see 30-50mm of rain and winds in excess of 40-50mph.

Frequent lightning and intense downpours will lead to flash flooding.

It warned fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.

The Met Office said people in the affected areas should prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions, drive cautiously if they must travel, and avoid floodwater where possible.

They should stay indoors as much as possible and consider checking on people they know who are vulnerable and may need support with food or medical supplies, it said.

Yellow weather warnings are also in force more generally across eastern and southern England and Wales where the thunderstorms could be just as severe but more localised.

Into Saturday there will be more showers and thunderstorms across western parts of England, Wales and into Scotland where there is a further yellow severe weather warning.

The yellow warnings for thunderstorms are in place in:

• South-west England and Wales from 14:00 to 23:59 on Friday

• Eastern and south-eastern England from 19:00 on Friday to 06:00 on Saturday

• Wales, western and northern England and Scotland from 00:00 to 18:00 on Saturday

The heat and humidity has been building gradually, especially across northern and eastern parts of England.

The high temperatures on Friday were around 7 to 10C above average for the time of year.

With the rising humidity and heat, thunderstorms will bring the end to the hot spell.

Temperatures will be lower on Saturday with highs like low to mid-twenties across eastern England and high teens elsewhere.