Severe weather warning – Thunderstorms

The Met Office has issued a series of severe weather warnings for THUNDERSTORMS, which come into force from 1800 today and are in place until 0900 Saturday.

These storms will be isolated, but should you experience one, there could significant impact from it.

It is anticipated that we might see the first of these thunderstorms from midnight tonight, through to the early hours of Thursday morning.  These sporadic but potentially torrential downpours and lively thunderstorms – means we could see hail and frequent lightning, along with strong and squally winds – these possibly in the order of around 35 to 45mph. Meanwhile, there is the potential to see 30mm of rain in just an hour in some locations and as much as 50mm in 2 or 3 hours. As ever in these situations, some places may see only a little rain – but are still at risk from frequent lightning and squally winds.

Once these heavy and thundery downpours have cleared by around late morning the remainder of Thursday will be mainly fine if rather cloudy at times.

On Friday, the next consignment of heavy and thundery downpours, with these currently expected to again arrive from the south and during Friday morning. Pulses of wet weather could continue through the rest of the day, with rainfall totals of 20 to 40mm, perhaps 60 mm in a few areas, possible in 12 hours. With the most intense thunderstorms, 30 to 40 mm could fall in an hour or two.

At the same time on Friday, a blustery north east wind may develop, with gusts of 30 to 40mph possible in exposed locations.

By early Saturday, the heaviest rain with thunderstorm risk may well have cleared eastwards. Saturday is then looking like being a day with patchy cloud, brighter or sunny spells and the chance of an afternoon shower.

Met Office Yellow Warnings for Thunderstorms remain in place across the East of England and a wider area of the country – and are currently valid from 1800 Wednesday until 0900 Saturday. The warnings bring a Very Low Likelihood of Medium Impacts, which means that:

• There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail and strong winds
• Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
• Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads
• There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost

Please take time to check your local area and remove any loose items that could be blown around to reduce the risk damage from them.

Please remember you can monitor the developing situation via the Met Office website and App.

There is the possibility for further thundery activity for Sunday, but no warning is currently in place for this.