The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning spanning a significant portion of the southern United Kingdom for Sunday, indicating a risk of disruptive weather conditions. The alert, which comes into effect from midday on Sunday and lasts until late evening, highlights the potential for heavy downpours, frequent lightning, hail, and strong winds across affected areas.
Regions covered by the warning include much of southern England, extending from the South West across to the South East, and also encompassing parts of central England and south Wales. While not every area within the warning zone will experience severe thunderstorms, those that do could see significant rainfall totals in a short period, potentially leading to localised flooding of homes and businesses, and difficult driving conditions.
Forecasters anticipate that some areas could see up to 30mm of rain in an hour, with isolated spots potentially receiving 50mm over a few hours. This volume of precipitation, especially on ground already saturated from previous rainfall, increases the risk of surface water flooding. Wind gusts could reach 30-40 mph in the immediate vicinity of thunderstorms, posing a risk to temporary structures and outdoor items.
The implications of such weather could include delays and cancellations to train and bus services, as well as difficult driving conditions on roads due to spray and sudden flooding. There is also a small chance of power cuts and other disruptions to services. People are advised to remain vigilant, secure loose outdoor objects, and consider their travel plans, particularly if they involve journeys through rural areas prone to flooding.
In England, the warning covers counties such as Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Greater London. Further north, parts of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire are also included. In Wales, the southern regions, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport, are within the warning area. Northern Ireland and Scotland are not currently affected by this specific thunderstorm warning, with more settled conditions forecast for those regions.
Temperatures are expected to remain mild before the storms, possibly reaching 20-22 degrees Celsius in some southern areas, which could contribute to the atmospheric instability. The Met Office continues to monitor the situation closely and advises the public to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings.