The Met Office has issued a new yellow alert for thunderstorms, warning of flooding and power cuts across the country. From midnight until 10am on Thursday, 34 areas will face heavy rain, thunder, lightning and hail, bringing travel disruption and potential damage to properties.
Warning Details and Impact
The Met Office explained: "There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus. Some flooding of a few homes and businesses likely, leading to some damage to buildings or structures."
"Probably some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes. Delays to train services are possible. Some short-term loss of power and other services is likely," the Met Office added.
Rainfall Forecast
The warning begins on Wednesday evening, with the forecast warning that some areas of the country could see up to 50mm of rain in just six hours.
It said: "Heavy showers will develop this evening, becoming more frequent and widespread overnight. These are likely to bring 15 to 20 mm in an hour in some areas with as much as 30 to 50 mm falling in a period of six hours in some places."
"These accumulations may lead to a few places seeing some flooding. Alongside the rain, some showers are likely to be thundery, bringing the additional hazards of lightning and hail. The showers will ease from the northwest Thursday morning," the Met Office stated.
Affected Areas
The 34 areas under the thunderstorm warning include:
East Midlands
Derbyshire
North East England
Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
North West England
Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington
Wales
Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham
Yorkshire & Humber
East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York
