Met Office urges homes in 75 areas to gather torches and batteries from Friday | Weather | News

The Met Office has urged households in 75 areas of England to be prepared for the possibility of power outages as thunderstorms threaten to bring lightning, floods and high winds from Friday.

The yellow storm warning will come into force from midnight and last until 10am across much of England and Wales, while a separate warning will remain in force for much of Scotland until midnight on Friday.

Forecasters warned there was a “small chance of a power outage” if lightning strikes or severe weather damage electrical infrastructure.

The Met Office advises households to prepare in advance by:

The Met Office also warns there is a slim chance of rapid flooding of homes and businesses, damage from hail and lightning, difficult driving conditions and disruption to rail and bus services.

Full list of 75 affected areas