The recent heatwave is set to come to an abrupt end with storms forecast, prompting British Gas to issue a warning to households to prepare for potential power cuts

UK homes are being urged to brace themselves for potential power cuts as thunder and lightning is forecasted, with a list of five essential items to stockpile before Thursday.

The recent heatwave which caused hot sunny weather is set to end abruptly with stormy conditions. Parts of Scotland have already felt the brunt of these storms, with a house in Aviemore catching fire on Monday morning after being struck by lightning. The rest of the UK’s weather is also expected to take a turn for the worse in the coming days.

The Met Office predicts Thursday will be the wettest day in England overall after record-breaking temperatures of 34.8C were recorded in Cambridge on Monday August 12, prompting advice for households to prepare for possible power outages. Thunder and lightning storms often lead to localised power cuts.

British Gas has suggested a list of five items customers should consider stockpiling in preparation for such an event, reports the Daily Record. These include torches, spare batteries (both AA and AAA), a backup charger for mobile phones, and potentially a battery-powered radio for staying updated on local news if mobile use becomes impossible.

It’s also wise to keep a cupboard filled with essential foods which can be prepared without electricity. If you have a gas hob, it’s simpler as you can still whip up soups, tinned meats and tinned potatoes, or even make porridge.

However, items such as tinned rice pudding, breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, nuts and seeds, and chocolate, can all be stored and safely consumed during a power cut without any preparation needed if you don’t have access to electricity or gas. Scotland’s current forecast will also bring rain in the morning which will continue into most of the day across the majority of the country.

The Met Office put a yellow weather warning in place on Monday August 12 which has now been lifted but Scots could still be in for a wet one. In the event of a power cut, dial 105 from your mobile to report it.

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