(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Met Office issues warnings as ‘intense storms’ forecast for the UK
by Liv Clarke · Manchester Evening NewsTwo yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued by the Met Office as ‘unsettled weather is forecast for the UK in the coming days. Thundery showers are forecast in the south of the country, with heavy rain, wind and potentially ‘large hail’ predicted today (September 20).
From 12pm today a yellow thunderstorm warning comes into force until 8pm this evening, covering areas in the Midlands, in London, East of England, South East, South West and Wales. It states that although some areas will remain dry, others will experience “thundery shoes” bringing “frequent lightning, gusty winds, potentially some large hail, as well as brief spells of heavy rain”.
The Met Office warns it could cause some disruption, with potential damage to buildings due to lightning strikes, delays to train services and likely loss of power. Road journeys could also take longer due to driving conditions impacted by spray, standing water and hail.
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A second thunderstorm warning is set to come into force from 1am tomorrow until midnight on Saturday. This covers a larger area, including the whole of Wales. Forecasters said: “Whilst there is some uncertainty in the details , scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop and spread northwestwards at times later on Friday night and through Saturday.”
(Image: PA)
It added that although it will be dry “much of the time”, some areas could experience “intense storms” accompanied by “hail and frequent lightning”. It add that this is likely “especially during Saturday afternoon and evening in parts of the Midlands, southern England and east Wales.”
Forecasting for the UK today, the Met Office said: “Low cloud across England and Wales will break as sunny spells develop, however the cloud is likely to linger across the northeast. Heavy and thundery showers developing across the south. Fine and dry across Northern Ireland and Scotland. Feeling warm.”
Saturday is expected to be: “Largely dry in the north with sunny spells, especially in the northwest. Showers or longer spells of rain across the south, these heavy and thundery at times. Warm for many.”