The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Wales as thunderstorms are set to hit ahead of what looks to be a very wet bank holiday weekend. The forecasters have warned that the storms could cause disruption and flooding in some places.
Warning details and affected areas
The latest yellow warning for thunderstorms comes into place at midday on Friday, and covers 18 parts of the country. It comes into force at midday on Friday and will remain in force until 9pm.
The full list of areas affected is: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham.
Forecast and potential impacts
Forecasters at the Met Office have warned that showers and thunderstorms will be focused over "much of Wales" during the early afternoon. The storms will bring heavy showers, and up to 40mm of rain could fall in a short period with "repeated downpours" possible.
The Met Office forecast said: "While many areas will miss the heaviest downpours, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during Friday afternoon and evening."
"The focus of showers and thunderstorms over will be northern England and much of Wales during the early afternoon before extending over central and eastern England through the afternoon. Thunderstorms will bring 10-20 mm of rain in a short period in a few places with 30-40 mm possible should anywhere see repeated downpours. Lightning and hail will be additional hazards in a few locations."
"Heavy showers and thunderstorms will gradually ease during Friday evening."
Travel disruption and flooding risk
Forecasters warn that driving conditions are likely to be affected by the poor weather, with journeys expected to take longer due to spray, standing water and potentially hail. There could also be delays to train services.
Flooding of a few homes and business is also possible, and there could be a damage to a few buildings due to lightning strikes. People could also experience powercuts.
This comes after a thunderstorm warning earlier this week, with Wales experiencing a more prolonged spell of wet conditions for the first time in weeks after a very hot and dry summer, which saw a drought declared.
