The UK Met Office has issued yellow warnings for thunderstorms covering large parts of Scotland from 14:00 to 23:59 BST on Wednesday, 13 August, followed by a second alert extending across Scotland and Northern Ireland from 00:00 to 22:00 BST on Thursday, 14 August. Forecasters say isolated but intense downpours could deliver 20–30 millimetres of rain in less than an hour, with local accumulations potentially exceeding 50 millimetres where storms track repeatedly. Hail, lightning and gusty winds are also possible. The agency warns of a small chance of flash flooding, power cuts and disruption to road, rail and bus services. Communities in low-lying areas could become briefly cut off by floodwaters, and drivers are advised to expect difficult conditions and possible road closures. The alerts come after temperatures topped 33 °C earlier this week during the United Kingdom’s fourth heatwave of the summer, a pattern that raises the risk of sudden surface runoff when heavy rain follows prolonged hot, dry spells.