The Met Office has today (20/07) put in place a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms this afternoon amid the heatwave.
Thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year but it is during the summer months when thunderstorms in the UK are most likely to produce large hail, gusty winds and torrential downpours that can cause disruption to transport networks and damage property.
There are warnings that this thunderstorm may cause impacts to travel and power supplies.
The Met Office has today issued a warning saying that locals should expect that:
- Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds
- Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
- Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
The Met Office has said: "Although many places will miss them, some thunderstorms are likely to develop during Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing torrential rain, frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds. These thunderstorms could produce 30-60 mm of rain within 1-2 hours."
If you are caught out in thunder and lightning it is advised that you wind up the windows and stay inside your car. This is because in the vast majority of cars with a metal roof and frame, the frame will act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers inside and on to the ground.
For further travel advice and more details about how to stay safe during a thunderstorm, please click here.
