A yellow thunderstorm warning covering Merseyside is in force from 11am today, Sunday August 30, until 11.59pm this evening, with heavy showers, hail and lightning expected to cause disruption.
The warning is part of a broader alert covering the majority of the UK, with showers and thunderstorms likely to affect transport, infrastructure and outdoor activities.
Rain and hail expected
Guidance from the Met Office said: "Showers, heavy and thundery, will reach southwest England and Wales later Sunday morning, before spreading and developing more widely during the afternoon."
"Whilst some areas will miss the heaviest showers, where they do occur 10-15mm of rain is possible in less than an hour, with 30-40mm possible over several hours, these larger totals most likely for parts of north and northwest England and southwest Scotland."
"Hail, frequent lightning and, in southern parts of England and Wales, wind gusts of 35-45 mph will be additional hazards. Heaviest showers and thunderstorms will become more isolated later in the evening."
Travel and power disruption
People in affected areas have been warned to expect disrupted driving conditions, with longer journeys possible due to spray and hail. Delays to train services are also possible.
The Met Office said short-term loss of power and other services is likely, with some flooding of a few homes and businesses possible.
Advice shared on the Met Office website said: "If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area, move to lower ground."
"People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do, consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."
Liverpool forecast and recent heat
The BBC Weather forecast for Liverpool tomorrow said: "Tomorrow morning will see another area of showers move through from the west, some of them heavy. During the afternoon, the showers will gradually clear, but it will remain rather cloudy."
A further outlook for Tuesday to Thursday added: "On Tuesday morning, it will be dry with a good deal of sunshine. In the afternoon, patchy cloud will bubble up, bringing a chance of a few scattered showers, largely easing during the evening."
"Wednesday is expected to cloud over from the west, along with a few patches of rain. It will turn breezy too. Thursday will start cloudy. Sunny spells and a few showers in the afternoon."
The warning comes after continued hot weather across the UK, which coincided with extremely dry conditions. The Met Office has previously said the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record after five heatwaves, with temperatures of up to 38.1C recorded in London.
