Met Office issues yellow warning as 42 UK areas braced for thunderstorms | Weather | News
People walking under the rain in London’s Leicester Square took shelter under umbrellas. Snow fell in parts of south-west England and Wales. Rain, sleet and hills snow is heading north across the UK as holidaymakers prepare for their Easter getaways, forecasters say. Picture date: Thursday, March 28, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should be: James Manning/PA Wire (Image: PA)
The Met Office has issued a new yellow storm warning covering 42 areas across the UK as heavy rains overtake and replace recent warm weather.
The forecaster implemented the warning from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Thursday, May 28.
The warning covers the East Midlands, London and parts of South East England, North West England, South West England, Wales and the West Midlands.
Forecasters predict that those in affected areas may experience frequent lightning and heavy downpours during this period.
In addition to rainy weather, hail and strong winds are expected to be effective in some parts of the country.
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The updated warning was issued at 11.52pm on Wednesday evening, as the previous yellow warning was due to expire at midnight.
The Met Office forecast said: “Storms will continue to affect parts of England and Wales and are likely to become increasingly confined to the northern and eastern parts of the warning area in the early hours.
“Although many locations will miss the worst conditions, where thunderstorms occur frequently and heavy downpours are likely. Hail and high winds may also affect a few locations.”
Met Éireann has canceled its weather warning for the Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures drop and thunderstorms could be on the way. (Image: undefined)
The warning increases the likelihood of serious travel disruptions as journeys by car and bus take much longer than usual. In addition to the possibility of structural damage to buildings due to lightning strikes, there is also a risk of flooding in certain areas. Power outages are also a potential concern, and forecasters are urging residents to be prepared.
The Met Office warns: “If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding safe, enclosed shelter (such as a car).
“Do not take shelter under or near trees or other structures that could be struck by lightning. If you are in a high area, move to lower ground.”
Full list of local areas affected
Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
London and South East England
Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Southampton, West Berkshire
Blackburn, Darwen, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham
Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire
