UK households have been urged to unplug non-essential electrical appliances, including lamps, as thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to affect several parts of the UK again on Sunday.
The UK is bracing for unsettled weather with thunderstorms already affecting several areas and more rain and lightning possible over the bank holiday weekend.
Met Office forecast for tonight and Sunday
The Met Office's forecast for this evening and tonight reads: "Heavy rain and thunderstorms will clear from central and eastern areas this evening. Rain will also develop over Northern Ireland, moving into southern Scotland during the early hours. Clear spells elsewhere overnight, with a scattering of showers. A mild night."
Some parts of the UK are set to see showers "heavy with hail and thunder" on Sunday.
The Met Office's forecast for Sunday currently reads: "Sunny spells and showers through the first half of the week, some heavy with a risk of thunder. Becoming drier at times, though rain may spread into western areas later."
Yellow thunderstorm warning in place
A yellow thunderstorm warning has also been in place from 12pm to 9pm today with parts of the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the East of England, London and South East England, South West England and Wales affected by the warning.
Regarding the yellow warning, the Met Office said: "An area of heavy showers and thunderstorms will move across this region during the afternoon and early evening, affecting areas in the west first and moving progressively east towards evening with drier weather following. Some places could see 15-25 mm of rain in an hour, and 30 mm in two to three hours, with hail and lightning additional hazards."
Safety advice for households
With thunderstorms capable of causing power cuts and damage to property, households are being reminded to take simple precautions. To stay safe in thunder and lightning, the Met Office has advised to unplug any non-essential appliances if not already using a surge protector.
This is because lightning can cause power surges. The British Red Cross' guidance on how to remain safe and protect your home during storms and thunderstorms also urges households to do the same.
This means households may want to consider unplugging items such as lamps, televisions, computers and other electrical devices that do not need to remain connected during a storm.
The British Red Cross also said people should close and secure windows and exterior doors, particularly larger doors such as those on garages, and to make sure they are properly sealed against water. If you have storm shutters make sure they are closed.
Households are advised to make sure loft access is secure and, where possible, bolt down doors to help prevent them from being affected by strong winds. The Red Cross adds that you should prepare an emergency kit containing essentials such as a torch, radio, matches and a list of emergency contact numbers.
During a thunderstorm, people should remain indoors until the storm has passed, keeping windows and doors closed and staying away from windows. Households are also advised not to use a landline telephone unless it is an emergency.
