Warning: Yellow
To expect: Thunderstorms
Affected area: Multiple, listed below
Start time estimate: Saturday 4pm
End time estimate: Sunday 5am
The Met Office has announced a Yellow thunderstorm warning for several regions across the UK for Saturday and Sunday.
The warning is covering parts of East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber. All local areas affected are listed below.
A Yellow weather warning is in effect from Saturday 4pm until Sunday 5am. The forecast suggests the regions concerned can expect to see frequent lightning strikes and torrential rain.
The Yellow warning for thunderstorms was announced at 11:35am on Friday, June 20.
A Met Office forecast said: “Whilst many places will likely remain dry and unaffected, scattered thunderstorms may develop during Saturday afternoon, lasting through the evening hours, moving northeastwards before eventually clearing to the North Sea by the early hours of Sunday. The most intense thunderstorms could produce frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds, along with some heavy downpours for a time. This may lead to some surface water impacts in places.”
What to expect
Where 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; There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
What should you do during intense thunderstorms?
Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. 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. 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. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area. For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.
Full list of local areas affected
East Midlands
Derby, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
North East England
Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
North West England
Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington
Wales
Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham
West Midlands
Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent
Yorkshire and Humber
East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York
What is a yellow weather warning?
The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.
A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.
An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.
A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.
The Yellow weather alert for thunderstorms will remain in place until 5am on Sunday.