Warning: Amber
To expect: Thunderstorms
Affected areas: East of England, London and South East England
Start time estimate: Saturday 5am
End time estimate: Saturday noon
The Met Office has announced an Amber thunderstorm warning for East of England and London and South East England for Saturday. All local areas affected are listed below.
Heavy rain and severe lightning are forecast to impact the regions, arriving across the areas on Saturday at around 5am. The thunderstorms will last until noon.
The Amber alert for thunderstorms was announced at 11:54am on Friday, July 18.
A Met Office forecast said: “Areas of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms will move northwards during the early hours of Saturday, with torrential downpours in places. Accumulations of 20-40 mm are possible in 1 hour, and where heavy downpours persist then as much as 70-100 mm could accumulate in just a few hours. Significant impacts are possible if this occurs over more urban areas. The more widespread heavy rain should clear to the north during Saturday morning, but additional scattered heavy showers and a few thunderstorms could develop during Saturday afternoon and early evening, this risk covered by the much larger Yellow thunderstorm warning.”
What to expect
Flooding of homes and businesses is likely and could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds; Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life; Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely; Spray and sudden flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; Some communities likely to become cut off if roads flood; Power cuts likely to occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
What should you do during thundery conditions?
Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously. It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help. Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business. Include: insurance and any other important documents; a torch & spare batteries; first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets such as warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food, and water. Being outside in high winds and/or lightning makes you more vulnerable to injury. Stay indoors as much as possible. If outside, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings or trees, or other structures which could be struck by lightning. If you hear thunder, and are unable to get to a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car), crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked in and hands over your ears making minimal contact with the ground, away from objects that conduct electricity. 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. Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support with food and medical supplies. If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111. Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities. For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.
Full list of local regions affected
East of England
Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock
London and South East England
Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham
What is an amber 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 Amber weather alert for thunderstorms will remain in place until noon on Saturday.