The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for 20 areas across Wales, effective from midnight until 10am on Friday, June 26. This follows days of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 36°C in Cardiff, potentially setting a new June record for Wales.
Affected Areas
The warning covers Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham.
Weather Details and Impact
BBC weatherman Derek Brockway noted: "In Cardiff, the temperature didn't drop below a tropical 23°C last night! 36°C is predicted this afternoon which would be a new record maximum for June in Wales! Risk of thunderstorms overnight tonight."
The Met Office warning states: "Thunderstorms are expected to move northeastwards across parts of England and Wales during the early hours of Friday, clearing during Friday morning." While many areas will miss them, thunderstorms may produce sudden gusty winds of 50 to 60 mph, particularly in the south and west. Additional hazards include frequent lightning, hail, and heavy rain (possibly 15-20 mm in an hour).
Risks and Precautions
There is a risk of flooding and lightning strikes that could cause delays and cancellations to train and bus services. People have been warned that lightning strikes could damage homes and properties, and cause short-term power loss. There is also a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage from floodwater, lightning, hail, or strong winds.
Earlier this week, a similar thunderstorm warning affected parts of England, including Bristol, where the airport was closed on Monday, stranding hundreds of passengers after thunderstorms disrupted air traffic control communications.
