Warning: Yellow

To expect: Thunderstorms

Affected area: Multiple, listed below

Start time estimate: Tuesday 3pm

End time estimate: Tuesday 10pm

The Met Office has issued a Yellow thunderstorm warning for several regions across the UK until Tuesday night.

The warning is covering parts of East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, North West England, South West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber. All local areas affected are listed below.

A Yellow weather warning is set for Tuesday, starting from 3pm and running until 10pm. Forecasters anticipate frequent lightning strikes and torrential rain in the affected regions.

The Yellow warning for thunderstorms was announced at 10:02am on Tuesday, May 26.

A Met Office forecast said: “Whilst many areas will miss them and remain hot and sunny, isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and into the evening. These could bring frequent lightning, large hail, gusty winds and the potential for 30 mm of rain in less than an hour.”

What to expect

Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services; There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost; Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; 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?

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. 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, Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Rutland

East of England
Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Peterborough, Suffolk

London and South East England
Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham

North West England
Cheshire East

South West England
Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire

West Midlands
Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire

Yorkshire and Humber
South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

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 10pm on Tuesday.