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Thunderstorm warning and possible heatwave record in the offing for NI

Cecilia DalyBBC News NI Senior Weather Presenter
News imageBBC Lightning lights up a purple and blue sky which is over the top of green fields and trees.BBC
Lightning captured on camera in August 2024

As other parts of the UK continue to experience extreme heat, Northern Ireland is looking at its own tumultuous weather picture.

The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm warning for Northern Ireland - and there could be another heatwave confirmed on Thursday.

The thunderstorm warning came into force from 11:00 BST and runs until 06:00 on Friday.

Meanwhile, if a temperature of 25C is registered in parts of Northern Ireland later it will confirm the fourth heatwave of the summer, which would be most recorded here since the Met Office began recording heatwaves in 2019.

Heatwaves are defined by an area experiencing temperatures of 25C or more three days in a row, and Armagh is one place in line to meet that criteria later.

The heat is affecting all parts of the island and temperatures will be even higher across the Republic of Ireland.

Met Éireann have issued a yellow level heat alert for Leinster and Tipperary which is in force until 06:00 local time on Friday 14 August.

Thunderstorm warning for all Northern Ireland

News imageGraphic - to the left is a screenshot of the BBC weather site. It states 'yellow weather warning.' It states from 11:00 today, to 06:00 tomorrow. Then, 'Showers and thunderstorms bringing some disruption to travel and infrastructure - Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures - There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds - Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services - There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads - There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost - There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life' The left image is a map of Northern Ireland highlighted in yellow. There is a yellow and black box stating 'Yellow: Thunderstorm.' The rest of the map is grey.
Where the storms do develop this afternoon, they will rumble on through the evening and overnight, occasionally merging into longer spells of rain

With the atmosphere currently unstable, warm and humid, conditions could set off severe thunderstorms locally.

These could bring sudden downpours, lightning, a risk of hailstones and gusty winds.

Many places will avoid these thundery downpours, but where they occur the Met Office has said "10-20 mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, with a chance of a few areas seeing 20-30 mm in less than an hour".

The Met Office added that this could lead to some flooding in places.

Where the storms do develop this afternoon, they will rumble on through the evening and overnight, occasionally merging into longer spells of rain.

As they clear fresher, less humid air will move in from the Atlantic for Friday bringing a drop in temperature both by day and night.