The Met Office has issued a comprehensive yellow weather warning for thunderstorms, set to impact various regions across the UK for a continuous 20-hour period. Commencing from 12:00 BST on Friday and extending until 08:00 BST on Saturday, the alert highlights a significant risk of heavy rainfall, lightning, hail, and strong winds. This warning encompasses a broad swathe of England, including the Midlands, East of England, and parts of the North West and South West, alongside much of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Forecasters anticipate that some areas could experience intense downpours, with predictions of 30 to 40mm of rain falling within just an hour. In isolated spots, accumulations might even reach 60mm over a few hours. Such volumes of precipitation elevate the risk of localised surface water flooding, particularly in urban areas and on roads, which could make travel challenging and potentially dangerous. The accompanying lightning and hail also pose additional risks to property and personal safety.
The specific regions under the warning in England include Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Lincolnshire. In Wales, the warning covers all unitary authorities. Northern Ireland is also largely included, with counties such as Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone expected to be affected.
While Scotland is not currently under the yellow thunderstorm warning, residents there should remain vigilant for localised showers. Temperatures across the UK during this period are expected to remain mild, with highs of around 20-22 degrees Celsius in areas affected by the storms, though the perceived temperature may feel cooler due to the rain and wind. Wind speeds are generally forecast to be moderate, but gusts of up to 30-40 mph could accompany the more intense thunderstorms.
The Met Office advises the public to prepare for potential power cuts and disruption to public transport services, including trains and buses. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution, anticipate difficult driving conditions due to standing water and reduced visibility, and consider delaying non-essential journeys if conditions deteriorate significantly. Keeping drains clear where possible and securing loose garden items are also recommended precautions.