Brits have been warned to expect thunderstorms as the heatwave which has gripped the south east comes to an end.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather alert, warning the storms are likely to affect parts of east and southeast England into the early hours of Wednesday.

It states that frequent lightning may occur along with heavy rain – up to 20mm to 30 mm of rain in an hour – in some places, with large hail and sudden strong gusts of wind.

The forecast has prompted Ryanair to cancel at least 14 departures and 13 arrivals at Stansted Airport.

In a statement on its website, the airline said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this weather disruption, which is entirely beyond our control, and we are working hard to minimise the disruption to our operations."

Frank Saunders, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "After weeks of predominantly high temperatures and very little rainfall for many parts of the country, high pressure is finally breaking down allowing a cold front to introduce cooler, fresher air from the Atlantic to all parts of the UK.

"Temperatures will still often be in the low to mid-20s Celsius in eastern parts of England for the rest of this week, which although is above average for the time of year, will be notably cooler than recent weeks.

"Elsewhere, temperatures in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and western England will be closer to average, the high teens being typical."

However, after a sweltering hot summer, the UK could see warmer-than-average temperatures in the autumn, according to the Met Office.

Its three-month outlook does not suggest the hot weather will last that long but it may be "warmer than average".

The outlook – used by planners, businesses and government to start plotting weather-related decisions – shows an increased chance of high-pressure systems close to the UK, meaning settled conditions are more likely than unsettled weather from our typical Atlantic weather systems.

Weather Forecast from 6am Wednesday August 8 to 6am Thursday August 9

Tonight (Wednesday night) : It is expected to be a mostly dry night with just the odd shower possible in the west, though these will be mostly light in nature. Elsewhere, there will be a few clear spells at times though there will be some patchy cloud around too. A cloudier night in the south-east, with some patchy rain perhaps edging up from the south here during the early hours. A moderate south-westerly breeze.

Tomorrow (Thursday) : There will be variable amounts of cloud cover throughout the day, with the chance of a shower or a spot of light rain for many. Some thundery showers are possible over parts of north-west Scotland. More widespread and persistent rain is expected across south-east England and East Anglia during the day. A moderate westerly breeze.

UK Outlook (Friday and Saturday) : It will be a rather unsettled day on Friday with showers, mostly in Scotland and northern England. Some of the showers will be heavy, and could bring a few rumbles of thunder. Saturday will be wet and cloudy across Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England with rain that could be heavy. A dry, warm and humid day across most of central and southern England, with some sunny spells at times.

Regions for Thursday:

1: It looks set to be bright with sunshine and light showers, more especially during the afternoon. Light southerly winds. Max temp 21-24C (70-75F).

2: It will be bright with some sunshine, but there will also be scattered light showers around. Gentle south-westerly winds. Feeling cooler. Max temp 18-21C (64-70F).

3: It is going to be bright with spells of sunshine and heavy showers, especially during the afternoon. A few light showers are likely through the evening. Light northerly winds. A cooler day. Max temp 17-20C (63-68F).

4: A fine day is expected, as it will be dry with some cloud, but also good spells of sunshine, albeit rather hazy at times. Moderate westerly winds. Max temp 19-22C (66-72F).

5: It is going to be mostly dry and bright with sunny periods, although one or two showers are possible too. Gentle westerly winds. Max temp 19-22C (66-72F).

6: It is expected to be increasingly bright with sunny spells, although there is the chance of an isolated shower until midday. Light northerly winds. Max temp 19-22C (66-72F).

7: A generally fine day, as it will be dry with long sunny spells and nothing more than a little patchy cloud. Gentle westerly winds. Max temp 19-22C (66-72F).

8: It is expected to be sunny for much of the time, but there is the chance of an isolated heavy shower later. Moderate westerly winds. Max temp 17-20C (63-68F).

9: It looks set to be generally bright with sunshine, but there is a small chance of the odd heavy shower later. Moderate westerly winds. Max temp 18-21C (64-70F).

10: It will be mainly dry with spells of sunshine and just the small chance of a light shower. Scattered light showers during the evening. Moderate south-westerly winds. Max temp 16-19C (61-66F).

11: It is going to be generally bright with spells of hazy sunshine, but there is a risk of a heavy shower later. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 16-19C (61-66F).

12: It will be mainly dry with sunny spells, but there is the chance of a shower later. Moderate south-westerly winds. Max temp 17-20C (63-68F).

13: Following early isolated showers, it will be dry with bright or sunny intervals and variable cloud cover. Cool again with a moderate south-westerly wind. Max temp 14-17C (57-63F).

14: It is expected to be dry for much of the time with hazy sunshine, but there is the chance of a heavy shower later. Cool with a moderate south-westerly breeze. Max temp 14-17C (57-63F).

15: A generally fine day, as it will be dry and bright with sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud. Gentle westerly winds. Max temp 19-22C (66-72F), but cooler over many upland areas.

16: Fine weather is forecast, as it will be dry with spells of hazy sunshine, as well as variable cloud. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 18-21C (64-70F), but cooler over many upland areas.

17: It looks set to be generally bright with sunny periods, but there is a small chance of the odd shower later. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 16-19C (61-66F), but cooler over many upland areas.

18: It will be mainly dry with sunny spells, but there is the chance of a shower later. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 15-18C (59-64F).

19: Fine weather is forecast, as it will be dry with sunny intervals and variable amounts of cloud. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 16-19C (61-66F).

20: It will be mainly dry with sunny spells, but there is the chance of a heavy shower later. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 15-18C (59-64F).

21: Following early isolated showers, it will be dry with bright or sunny intervals and variable cloud cover. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 15-18C (59-64F).

22: It is expected to be mainly dry with spells of sunshine and just the small chance of a shower, possibly heavy. Moderate south-westerly winds. Max temp 15-18C (59-64F).

23: It will be bright with periods of sunshine, although there is the chance of the odd shower during the morning. Moderate south-westerly winds. Max temp 16-19C (61-66F).

24: It is expected to be bright with sunny spells and scattered showers. These will mostly fall during the afternoon. Moderate south-westerly winds. Max temp 14-17C (57-63F).

25: It looks set to be rather cloudy and wet with showers or longer spells of rain, heavy at first but mostly light during the afternoon and evening. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 12-15C (54-59F).

26: Rain first thing. It will then be bright with some sunshine, but there will also be scattered light showers around. Moderate south-westerly winds. Max temp 12-15C (54-59F).

27: It is going to be bright and generally dry with sunny intervals and only the small chance of a shower, possibly heavy. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 14-17C (57-63F).

28: A fine day is expected, as it will be dry with some cloud, but also spells of sunshine, albeit rather hazy at times. Moderate southerly winds. Max temp 13-16C (55-61F).

29: It is going to be bright with sunshine and light showers, more especially during the afternoon. Gentle south-westerly winds. Max temp 15-18C (59-64F).

30: Today will be breezy with a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers for all areas. Some of the showers may be heavy, with a rumble of thunder not out of the question in the west. Staying chilly with a moderate north-westerly wind. Max temp 14-17C (57-63F).

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