The Met Office has issued a fresh yellow thunderstorm warning for 42 areas across the UK as heavy downpours are set to replace the recent warm weather. The warning is in effect from midnight until 4am on Thursday, May 28, covering parts of the East Midlands, London and South East England, North West England, South West England, Wales, and the West Midlands.
Expected Weather Conditions
According to the forecast, these areas can expect frequent lightning and heavy downpours of rain throughout the period. In addition to the wet conditions, hail and strong, gusty winds are likely in certain regions. The new warning was issued at 11.52pm on Wednesday evening, as a previous yellow warning was set to expire at midnight.
Met Office Statement
A Met Office spokesperson said: "Thunderstorms will continue to affect parts of England and Wales and are likely to become increasingly confined to northern and eastern parts of the warning area during the early hours. While many places will miss the worst conditions, where thunderstorms do occur, frequent lightning and heavy downpours are likely. Hail and strong, gusty winds may also affect a few places."
Potential Impacts
The warning indicates a strong chance that travel conditions will be impacted, with journey times by car and bus expected to take longer. There is also a risk of flooding in some areas, with possible damage to buildings and structures from lightning strikes. Power cuts may occur, so the Met Office advises being prepared.
Safety Advice
The Met Office warns: "If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter, such as a car. Do not shelter under or near trees or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on elevated ground, move to lower ground."
Full List of Affected Areas
East Midlands: Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
London and South East England: Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Southampton, West Berkshire
North West England: Blackburn with Darwen, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington
South West England: Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire
Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham
West Midlands: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire
