New storm maps show brutal 55mph gales and lightning strikes across UK

The UK is set to be battered with 55mph gales and thunderstorms next week, according to weather maps. On Monday, August 4, "unseasonably" strong winds could batter parts of England, while heavy rain could impact Scotland.

Weather maps by WXCharts predicts winds will peak between 46mph (75km/h) and 55mph (89km/h) in the west of England and Wales. All along the English and Welsh coast, gales could reach around 38mph, indicated by lighter red on the weather maps, while in the north of England, around Cumbria and Newcastle, it could reach up to 31mph.

Even though Scotland isn't forecast such strong winds, between 18mph and 24mph, the country could suffer heavier rain.

The heaviest rainfall has been predicted for the northernmost parts of Scotland, but around 15mm to 30mm could accumulate over parts of the country.

Wales, the Midlands, and the south of England, which could suffer the strongest gales, may see some respite with the amount of rainfall, which is predicted to be between 1mm and 10mm. However, in the north of England, strong winds and rain could combine, with 15 to 20mm of rainfall.

The storm relative helicity maps also blazed bright purple and red, which indicate the likelihood of a thunderstorm rotating and leading to an increased risk of tornadoes or storm development.

Values greater than 100 m²/s² are often associated with an increased risk of the storm developing, and in parts of northern England, the figures reach 500.

The Met Office outlook for Saturday to Monday predicts there could be strong wind and rain, accompanied by average temperatures.

Its UK forecast said: "Rain, locally heavy, spreads in on Sunday. A fine start on Monday before strengthening winds and rain arrives."

On Monday in London it predicted "unseasonably" windy weather with heavy rain and showers. In Edinburgh and Belfast it predicted a "chance of wind and rain", while in Manchester and Cardiff, it could become "unsettled from Sunday, as bands of rain, which may be heavy at times, move in from the west".