The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and torrential rain, forecast to affect a large swathe of the United Kingdom from late afternoon today and continuing into the night. The warning highlights the potential for significant downpours, lightning, and hail, which could lead to localised flooding and disruption across various regions.
Forecasters anticipate that the unsettled weather will begin to develop across central and southern England, including areas like Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the West Midlands, before spreading northwards. Rainfall totals could reach between 20-30mm in an hour in some locations, with isolated spots potentially seeing up to 50mm over a few hours. Gusts of wind accompanying the storms could reach 30-40 mph, adding to the challenging conditions.
Regional breakdowns indicate that England will bear the brunt of the activity, with warnings covering much of the Midlands, the North West, and parts of the South East. Cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Nottingham are among those identified as being particularly susceptible to heavy rainfall and lightning strikes. In Wales, eastern areas are more likely to experience these severe conditions. While Northern Ireland and Scotland are generally expected to see a more settled day, isolated showers and potential thunderstorms cannot be ruled out in southern parts of Scotland and eastern Northern Ireland later in the evening.
The primary concerns associated with these thunderstorms include surface water flooding, which could affect homes and businesses, and difficult driving conditions due to reduced visibility and standing water on roads. There is also a risk of power cuts and delays to public transport services. The Met Office advises the public to remain vigilant, check local flood alerts, and consider postponing non-essential travel during the peak of the storms.
Temperatures across the UK today are expected to be mild before the storms arrive, with highs of around 20-22°C in the south and 17-19°C further north. However, the arrival of the thunderstorms will bring a noticeable drop in temperature and a significant increase in humidity. The unsettled weather is expected to gradually clear through the early hours of tomorrow, leading to a brighter but cooler day for most.