Early on Thursday morning, thunderstorms hit parts of the UK, causing widespread disruptions. Downpours swept across the south-east, south-west England, and southern Wales. The impact on travel is unclear, with some delays expected due to damage caused by lightning strikes. The southern parts of the UK are under a weather warning, with the Met Office pre-warning of some flooding which could ultimately lead to road closures and difficult driving conditions.
In Westbury, Wiltshire, lightning damaged the electricity supply on the railway. National Rail has since reopened lines, but warns of possible cancellations and delays to the services. Eastwards, the storms have begun spreading towards East Anglia, with the potential to reach the Midlands and further north into Wales. However, it is expected that the majority of the storms will pass as the day progresses.
Two buildings in Sussex were damaged by the lightning strikes last night. West Sussex Fire and Rescue said a care home in Elmer was among the damaged properties, while a building at the University of Chichester has reported roof and power failures. The authorities responded promptly, and residents have been relocated.
Although weather forecasts predict sunshine for later in the day, more thunderstorms are expected to hit England and Wales tonight. The Eastern coast of England, however, remains expected to remain dry, with temperatures hovering between 13C and 14C. In contrast, parts of East Anglia may experience the warmest day of the year, with highs of 22C.
Although disruption is expected to be minimal, the UK Department for Transport has advised passengers to check travel arrangements before attempting a journey. Meanwhile, National Rail has also requested customers to allow extra time in case of unexpected delays and cancellations
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