We’ve all been enjoying the sun for the past few weeks, but as us Brits know all too well, you can’t get used to nice weather in this country. For some unlucky folks, an imminent thunderstorm could put an end to BBQs and tinnies in the park – at least for today.
The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for a significant chunk of the south of England and almost all of Wales for later on today (May 12). It will likely hit early in the afternoon, but it won’t last long, and there is a small chance that these storms will cause disruption to your day. Regardless, if you are in the yellow-zone pay close attention to the weather forecast and look out for updates throughout the day.
Here’s everything you need to know about the thunderstorms due to hit the UK today.
Full list of areas with a yellow thunderstorm warning
The Met’s yellow warning extends all the way from the North of Wales to central Cornwall at its southernmost, and Kent at its furthest East. This means that London is in the potential danger zone. Other major cities likely to be hit include Cardiff, Swansea, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol, and Bath. The Black Country, Gloucestershire, and Wales seem to be at the centre of the warning.
Here’s the complete list of areas affected:
East Midlands
- Northamptonshire
East of England
- Central Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Luton
- Thurrock
- London & South East England
- Bracknell Forest
- Buckinghamshire
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Kent
- Medway
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Reading
- Slough
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
North West England
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
You can see the Met’s heat map, which indicates which parts of the country are receiving the yellow warning and will update itself throughout the day, here.
What does a yellow thunderstorm warning mean?
According to the Met, a yellow warning means that the weather will ‘cause some low level impacts’ and result in ‘some disruption to travel’, or that the impact could be severe, but there is very low certainty about the disruptions occurring at all. In today’s case, the warning has a ‘very low likelihood and a medium impact’.
Will there be travel disruption?
Today, the main impact of the thunderstorms could be disruptions to travel. Rain could cause some road closures, and there’s a chance some public transport will be delayed or cancelled in the affected areas. Make sure to check your routes, whether you are driving, getting a bus, or riding a train, before you travel. Any disturbances to travel should return to normal within the next day or two.
When is the UK expecting thunderstorms?
The storms are forecast to hit later on today. They will likely peak in the afternoon, anywhere between 1-6pm depending on your exact location, but it’s not all doom and gloom. The rain will slow down into the evening, and by tomorrow most of us can expect a return to the sunshine. Every cloud has its silver lining. Literally.
How much rain is expected?
The amount of rain expected varies throughout the areas included under the yellow warning. For instance, Bangor, in North Wales, has a 60% likelihood of rain at its peak, but Birmingham’s chances are much higher at 80%. To find out how much rain your area is expecting, make sure to check your localised weather forecast.
Will there be flash flooding?
There is a low chance of flash flooding, but with the potential for high volumes of rain, it is a possibility in low-lying areas prone to floods. The Met Office advises that those in such places ‘consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit’. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Additionally, keep up with the yellow warning throughout the day, as it may ease or worsen without much notice.
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