The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across all of Northern Ireland on Tuesday, with power cuts and disruption expected.
Warning details
The warning is in effect from midday until 9pm. Forecasters say short-term loss of power and other services is likely, and people are urged to prepare in advance.
The Met Office advises gathering torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack, and other essential items to cope with potential outages.
Weather forecast
Showers will develop on Tuesday morning, becoming heavy and locally thundery in the afternoon. These slow-moving showers could bring 20 to 30mm of rain in an hour or two, with strong winds and hail possible.
The warning states that showers should slowly ease from the west into the evening.
Flooding and travel advice
Residents in the affected areas are also asked to consider whether their homes and businesses are at risk of flash flooding and to check road conditions before travelling.
The Met Office advises seeking safe shelter indoors if thunder is heard, avoiding trees and other structures that may be struck by lightning, and moving to lower ground if on elevated areas.
Areas affected
The six counties covered by the warning are Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone.
Separately, the Met Office forecasts heavy rain in the north of Scotland with a risk of thunder, and scattered showers with the odd thunderstorm in the south, remaining warm and humid with windy conditions in the north.
