Met Office issues thunderstorm warning for Greater Manchester

The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm weather warning for large parts of the UK, including Greater Manchester. But the expected downpours won't be enough to ward off a probable drought, experts have said.

The warning comes into force on from 6am on Monday and lasts throughout the day. Forecasters are warning it could mean 'locally heavy rain and possible disruption' with the chance of flooding and difficult driving conditions.

And while temperatures in Greater Manchester are expected to fall from a forecast high of 32C today (Friday) it's still going to be around 25C on Monday, meaning it could feel pretty warm and muggy. It comes as a drought is expected to be declared for some parts of the south of England today, as Yorkshire Water became the latest water company to announce a hosepipe ban.

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A four-day amber warning for extreme heat from the Met Office is in place for much of England and Wales until Sunday, with warnings of health impacts and disruption to travel.

There is also a heat health alert in place from the UK Health Security Agency, with experts advising people to look out for those who are older or with existing health conditions, as well as young children. Temperatures reached 34.2C at Wiggonholt, West Sussex, on Thursday afternoon, and climbed above 33C in a number of places from Shropshire to the south east of England.

Heatwave thresholds – which are met at different temperatures in different parts of the country – are likely to be hit in much of the UK. Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: "Persistent high pressure over the UK means temperatures have been rising day-on-day through this week and it is important people plan for the heat.

"Temperatures are expected to peak at 35C on