The Met Office has issued advice for residents in 22 UK counties as thunderstorms and hail are expected to hit parts of England and Wales this evening. Despite temperatures reaching 26C earlier in the week, the Bank Holiday weekend is set to turn miserable for many.
Weather Forecast
According to the Met Office, conditions today will be "wet across northeast England and southern Scotland" initially, while "hail and thunder" are possible in southern England and Wales. The weather is expected to "feel humid" for many. Heading into the evening, showers will largely subside overnight before conditions turn "mainly dry". However, "chilly" weather is expected in the north, where frost could develop in rural areas.
Thunderstorm Risk Areas
Weather mapping service Ventusky indicates a possibility of thunderstorms across a large swathe of southern England and Wales at around 7pm this evening. The data suggests thunderstorms are possible in 22 counties and principal areas, including:
- Wales: Radnorshire, Brecknockshire, Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire
- England: Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Essex, Kent, Suffolk
Safety Advice
The Met Office has published advice for people facing thunderstorms. Before thunderstorms occur, it urges people to "unplug any non-essential appliances" as lightning can cause power surges. You should also "keep away from underground or low-lying spaces such as car parks, basements or underpasses" as flooding can occur rapidly.
During a thunderstorm, the Met Office says you should "try to avoid using the landline, unless in an emergency" as telephone lines can conduct electricity. "Avoid activities such as golf, rod fishing or boating on a lake," it adds.
Driving in a Thunderstorm
If you find yourself driving in a thunderstorm, it is advised that you wind up the windows and stay inside your car. In the vast majority of cars with a metal roof and frame, the frame will act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers inside and on to the ground. The Met Office says soft-top convertibles "are the most at risk and could catch fire if struck by lightning". You should also be aware that current can travel through other parts of modern cars, including GPS and radio systems. "Cars with metal interior handles, foot pedals and steering wheels can also carry current," the advice states.
