Severe rain warnings have been issued for England and Wales as the Met Office forecasts intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall over the weekend. This weather pattern marks a sudden shift away from summer conditions, with warnings in place for Sunday and Monday. Authorities are advising the public to remain vigilant for potential local flooding, which could lead to some communities being isolated due to inundated roads. There is also a risk of power outages as the storms move across the region.

The UK is currently experiencing what the Met Office describes as "summer's last hurrah," with warm temperatures expected to give way to heavy rainfall this weekend. On Wednesday, temperatures soared to 25.5C in Inverness, which is a remarkable 14C above the average for this time of year. The pleasant weather is set to continue into Thursday, following a cloudy morning, with London expected to reach highs of 26C. However, the Met Office has indicated that a "gentle decline" in temperatures is on the horizon, signaling a shift towards more typical autumn weather.