UK weather: Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warning to hit in just hours with flooding, heavy rain and hail
THE Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning – with flooding, heavy rain and hail to hit in just hours.
Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms will push across the Midlands and the north tomorrow afternoon.
A yellow thunderstorm warning will come into force at noon tomorrow and will last until 8pm.
Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly.
Buildings could be damaged by floodwater and lightning strikes, forecasters said.
Some communities could become temporarily cut off by flooded roads.
Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
Power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
Around 20-30mm of rain could fall in just an hour in parts of the warning zone along with lightning strikes and hail.
Met Office expert Dan Harris said: “Sunday will have a mix of sunny spells but also scattered, heavy and in places thundery downpours.
“Not everywhere will see them but where they do occur there is a small chance of some temporary issues such as flooded roads.
“Scotland will be cloudier with rain, while Northern Ireland will also be cloudy with a chance heavy showers could break out later too.
“The focus for heavier showers is expected to transfer to Scotland and possibly northeast England.
“These could be slow moving, the heaviest of which could cause some temporary, localised issues such as flooded roads.”
Dan added: “We are keeping the weather warning situation under review.
“Please keep up to date with the latest warnings and forecasts from the Met Office if you have plans this Bank Holiday weekend.”
How to stay safe in a thunderstorm
THIS is the Met Office advice for Brits in the warning zone:
Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects are well secured.
Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance.
It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car).
Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning.
If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly.
When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Is your area affected?
East Midlands
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- Leicester
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
East of England
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Norfolk
- Peterborough
- Suffolk
South East England
- Milton Keynes
North West England
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Blackpool
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
Wales
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Powys
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Kingston upon Hull
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- York