The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Greater Manchester. The 15-hour warning comes into effect at 7pm this evening (August 19) and runs through to 10am on Thursday morning.
Forecasters say heavy showers and thunderstorms are 'likely to lead to some travel disruption and flash flooding'. The warning covers all of Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cumbria, plus most of Cheshire, Yorkshire, the North East and North Wales.
Heavy showers and potential flooding
A Met Office spokesperson said: "Heavy showers will develop this evening, becoming more frequent and widespread overnight. These are likely to bring 15 to 20 mm in an hour in some areas with as much as 30 to 50 mm falling in a period of six hours in some places.
"These accumulations may lead to a few places seeing some flooding. Alongside the rain, some showers are likely to be thundery, bringing the additional hazards of lightning and hail. The showers will ease from the northwest Thursday morning."
Potential disruption and other warnings
The storms could affect driving conditions, while the Met Office says some flooding of 'a few homes and businesses' is 'likely'. Rail disruption, power supply issues and damage to buildings could also be caused by the storm, the Met Office says.
The Met Office is currently forecasting showers in Greater Manchester from this evening, turning heavy after midnight. Heavy rain is forecast on Thursday morning, turning to showers as the day goes on.
A separate weather warning for thunderstorms has also been issued for Northern Ireland today, running from midday until midnight. Part of north-east Scotland, including Aberdeen, is covered by another warning from 2pm to 9pm.
