The Met Office has extended its yellow thunderstorm warning north-westwards, now covering 65 areas across England and Wales, as Merseyside braces for severe weather. The warning, initially covering 59 areas, remains in place until 10pm tonight.
People have been urged to prepare for the risk of lightning strikes, power cuts, heavy rainfall and flooding, with residents advised to put together an "emergency flood kit".
Warnings of flooding and disruption
The Met Office warned that homes and businesses could be "flooded quickly", while buildings and vehicles could be damaged by lightning strikes or hail. There could also be disruption to rail and bus services, and motorists have been warned to expect difficult driving conditions.
The Met Office said there is a "slight chance" that power cuts could occur, potentially affecting other services to homes and businesses. Some areas could see between 20mm and 30mm of rain fall in less than an hour, while the worst-hit locations could receive between 40mm and 50mm over two to three hours.
Forecast for Merseyside
The thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to move northwards before easing during the evening. For Merseyside, the Met Office forecast says any heavy and thundery showers will ease this evening, with variable cloud and clear spells developing overnight.
Temperatures are expected to remain warm and muggy, with mist and hill fog also possible. The minimum temperature is forecast to be 16C. Tomorrow, Thursday August 27, will begin dry with sunny spells before conditions become increasingly cloudy from the south.
Heavy, thundery rain is expected to push northwards during the late afternoon and evening, with frequent lightning and large hail possible. Temperatures are forecast to reach a maximum of 22C.
Areas covered by the warning
The warning covers areas including Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and parts of Wales including Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Powys and Wrexham.
