A yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued by the Met Office, covering 34 areas across the UK. The warning runs from 7pm on Wednesday, August 19, until 10am on Thursday, and brings the threat of possible power cuts and flash flooding.
Thunderstorm warning details
The Met Office warning states: "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."
The warning adds: "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."
Impact and advice
Millions of people in the 34 affected areas have been warned that some short-term power cuts are possible. The Met Office has advised residents to ensure they have multiple torches with extra batteries and to keep mobile phones charged for emergency calls.
The yellow thunderstorm warning also indicates that flooding is likely to hit some homes and businesses in the impacted areas. There is a "good chance" that driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water or hail, leading to longer journey times, with delays to train services also possible.
Affected areas
The full list of areas under the warning includes: 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 and Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York.
In its forecast, the Met Office said: "Thursday will be another day of sunshine and showers. The focus for the heaviest showers will transfer south to England and Wales. Thunder possible. Feeling cool in the northerly breeze."
