Greater Manchester faces heavy downpours, lightning strikes and hail until 7pm today after the Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for the region. The alert warns of potential flooding, power cuts and travel chaos as severe weather sweeps across the area.
Forecasters expect some areas to see 20-30mm of rainfall in under an hour, with isolated spots potentially hit by up to 50mm over several hours. Wind gusts accompanying the storms could reach 30-40 mph, adding to the risk of damage and dangerous conditions.
Residents and commuters face significant disruption throughout the day. Localised flooding threatens homes and businesses, particularly in low-lying areas, whilst surface water and poor visibility could create treacherous driving conditions. Train services may face delays or cancellations, and power cuts are likely across the region.
The severe weather remains largely confined to the North West, with other parts of England seeing brighter spells. Scotland and Northern Ireland expect more settled conditions, though isolated showers remain possible. Wales may experience scattered downpours, but nothing matching the intensity forecast for Greater Manchester.
The Met Office urges residents to secure outdoor furniture and trampolines before conditions worsen. People should avoid walking or driving through floodwater due to hidden hazards, whilst motorists must reduce speed and maintain safe distances when visibility drops.