Southern England and parts of Wales experienced a significant thunderstorm on the night of Wednesday, May 1, 2024, leading the Met Office to issue yellow weather warnings and forecast extensive rainfall. This heavy precipitation contributed to April being recorded as the sixth wettest in UK history, heightening concerns regarding potential flooding.

During the storm, over 4,840 lightning strikes were recorded in southern Britain and France. The adverse weather affected travel and damaged infrastructure, including a care home in Elmer, West Sussex, although no injuries were reported. The residents of the care home were relocated for their safety.

Additional thunderstorm warnings were issued for Thursday, May 2, 2024, covering the Midlands, East Anglia, and eastern Wales, with expectations of further travel disruptions and possible flooding from noon to midnight.

In the wake of the storm, temperatures varied across the UK, with some areas experiencing their warmest day of the year whilst coastal regions remained cooler. Meteorologist Marco Petagna suggested that some locales might see record temperatures following the storm.

Looking ahead, the Met Office predicted a mix of rain and warm temperatures for the upcoming bank holiday weekend, with showers expected on Monday.

Residents in affected areas, particularly in south London and surrounding commuter towns like Southwark, Dartford, Lewisham, Wimbledon, and Croydon are advised to stay vigilant as the cleanup continues and further weather updates are pending. These regions, particularly along the banks of the Thames, are under a flood warning due to the intense overnight thunderstorm.