UK weather: Large parts of England and Wales braced for thunderstorms - as Met Office warnings issued
Many areas in England and Wales are facing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning, prompting officials to issue warnings for thunderstorms.
The initial of three alerts from the Met Office this weekend is active from noon until 8 PM on Friday. It spans areas from the West Midlands to the South East and includes the South West, as well as a significant portion of Wales, such as Cardiff and Swansea.
The weather service warns that lightning from the storms is likely to harm structures.
With the potential for as much as 40mm (1.5 inches) of rain within three hours, authorities have warned that driving conditions could be impacted by wet roads, flooded areas, and possible hail. Additionally, power outages are likely, and train services may experience delays.
The Met Office stated that while there might be some thunderstorms and rain in southern and southeastern England early Friday, these conditions are likely to spread more broadly throughout the warned region by midday.
While some areas will stay dry, wherever thunderstorms happen, expect frequent lightning, strong gusts of wind, possibly some large hail, and short bursts of heavy rain.
It stated that there was "a minimal possibility of receiving 30-40mm of rain within a three-hour period" in the South West region of England.
A new thunderstorm alert for Saturday has been issued, lasting for 23 hours from 1am to midnight. This warning affects a wide region, including all of Wales and extending to Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Leicester, and the entire area of Cornwall.
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The Met Office warns that thunderstorms and intense rain are likely to lead to interruptions.
The Met Office stated that the strongest storms could bring hail and frequent lightning, particularly on Saturday afternoon and evening in certain areas of the Midlands, southern England, and eastern Wales.
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Authorities warn that there is a slight possibility of homes and businesses facing sudden flooding, as quickly moving or deep floodwaters may pose a "risk to life."
They also cautioned that there is a slight possibility that some neighborhoods might be isolated due to flooded roads, which could lead to power outages and the cancellation of train and bus services.
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This Sunday, a yellow alert for rain has been issued in various regions including the East Midlands, eastern England, London and the South East, northwest and southwest England, Wales, and the West Midlands.
The Met Office has issued a warning about possible major delays or cancellations for trains and buses, as well as flooding and hazardous driving situations.
