Warning: Yellow
To expect: Thunderstorms
Affected areas: Northern Ireland
Start time estimate: Thursday 7am
End time estimate: Thursday 10pm
The Met Office has announced a Yellow thunderstorm alert for Northern Ireland for Thursday.
On Thursday, a Yellow weather warning is in place from 7am until 10pm. The forecast suggests the region concerned will experience frequent lightning strikes and heavy downpours.
The Yellow alert for thunderstorms was issued at 11:46am on Wednesday, June 11.
A Met Office forecast said: “An area of rain will move northwards across Northern Ireland during Thursday, before clearing during the late afternoon and evening. The rain will be locally heavy with thunderstorms. A few places perhaps receiving 10-20 mm of rain in an hour, and 30-40 mm in 3 hours or less, leading to a risk of disruption. Winds will also be strong at times, perhaps gusting to 40-45 mph around hills and coasts.”
What to expect
There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus; Delays to train services are possible; Some short term loss of power and other services is likely; Some flooding of a few homes and businesses likely, leading to some damage to buildings or structures.
What should you do during intense thunderstorms?
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. Being outside in high winds and/or lightning makes you more vulnerable to injury. 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. 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.
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 effect until 10pm on Thursday.