Met Office issues urgent 7-hour thunderstorm warning for 30 areas in the UK - full list
Brits in parts of the UK have been issued weather warning ahead of thunderstorms.
Storms lasting up to seven hours are set to hit several regions, with the Met Office warning of potential flooding and major travel chaos. Brits living across the South West and in parts of Wales and the Midlands are set to be blighted by foul weather this weekend.
A spokesperson for the service said: "Whilst not all places will see them, slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms may lead to some flooding and disruption in places." A yellow weather warning has been issued coming into force today (Saturday) from 1pm and lasting until 8pm tonight.
Weather map shows all the areas set to be hit by thunderstorms this weekend as the Met Office issues a yellow warning
It warns that scattered, slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop, with the potential to cause flash flooding. Spray on roads could result in dangerous driving conditions, the forecaster said.
There is a chance some communities could temporarily be cut off by flooded roads, while lightning strikes may lead to delays and cancellations to train and bus services.
Some locations could see 20-30mm of rain in an hour or two, while there is a small chance repeated shower development could result in a few places seeing 40-50mm, the Met Office said.
The warning, which covers areas including Swansea, Cardiff, Bath, Exeter and Plymouth, is in place from 1pm until 8pm. Any showers and thunderstorms will gradually fade during Saturday evening, and much of the country will see no rain at all on Saturday, the forecaster added.
Areas affected by the warning include:
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Torbay
- Wiltshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Gwynedd
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
The full warning on the Met Office website reads: "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 or temporary structures 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."
The weather warnings come as other parts of the UK could the mercury hit the 30C mark later this month. A scorching mini heatwave spanning 400 miles is due before the end of May with charts predicting London, Brighton, Canterbury in Kent and Crawley will experience the highest temperatures.
The sweltering five-day heatwave will hit the North and Scotland too, forecasters say. Exacta Weather weather forecaster James Madden told the Daily Star: "Some of the main third-party computer models are now becoming more popular in recognition of the high pressure that rises across our shores throughout next week.
"This is now likely to bring at least another several days of warm to hot conditions and could initially see temperatures rising into the mid to high 20s quite widely, and 30C or more can't be entirely ruled out in the hottest spots and for the first time this year."
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