Met Office issues thunderstorm warning for southern England and Wales

Met Office issues thunderstorm warning for southern England and Wales

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms in extensive parts of England and Wales. This warning covers most of southern England, portions of the Midlands, and the majority of south Wales, starting from 09:00 BST on Saturday and continuing until 18:00. The forecast predicts around 10-15mm of rainfall within an hour in some areas, with the potential for 30-40mm of rain over an extended period due to consecutive showers and storms. Additionally, the weather agency warns of frequent lightning, hail, and strong gusty winds as supplementary hazards.

Following a historic spring, the weather has been rather erratic since the beginning of June, with wetter, windier conditions and cooler temperatures, deviating from the norm for the start of meteorological summer. England witnessed a mere 32.8mm of rain on average last month, marking its driest spring in over a century. It is now anticipated that certain locations may experience more rainfall on Saturday than they did throughout the entirety of May. The unpredictable nature of thunderstorms makes it challenging to pinpoint their exact locations, given their small-scale characteristics.

While most areas can expect showers, not all will endure intense downpours or thunderstorms, and some locations may even remain dry. The Met Office cautions that areas experiencing heavy showers could encounter disruptions in transportation, with driving conditions being hampered by spray and standing water, leading to lengthier travel durations. Furthermore, there is a possibility of temporary power outages and service interruptions, along with potential damage to buildings from lightning strikes. Although the storms are anticipated throughout the day, they are projected to ease off in the western regions by mid-afternoon.

A yellow weather warning denotes the lowest level of alert issued by the Met Office, based on the likelihood of severe weather events and their potential impacts. While other parts of the UK will see showers on Saturday, they are not expected to be as intense as those in the southern regions

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