Thunderstorm warning issued for Exeter this Saturday

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms on Saturday, with parts of Devon – including Exeter – likely to experience heavy showers, gusty winds and possible hail.

The warning, in place from 9am to late afternoon, covers large parts of central and southern England and Wales, with the potential for frequent lightning, strong winds and up to 40mm of rain in some areas over several hours.

In Exeter, this evening we should expect persistent rain that will continue overnight. Winds will strengthen into Saturday morning, particularly along the coast.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “Frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected for much of Saturday, before they fade from the west during the mid-to-late afternoon. It’s possible that 10–15mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, while some places could see 30–40mm over several hours.”

Looking ahead:

• Sunday is expected to be calmer and largely dry across Devon, with sunny spells and fewer showers.

• Monday will begin with sunshine and scattered showers, mostly further north.

• From midweek, warmer air could push across the UK from the south, with temperatures rising and the potential for highs in the high 20s°C in parts of the south-east.

• However, this warmer air mass may also bring a renewed risk of thunderstorms later in the week.