The Met Office has issued a national severe weather warning for the final day of the extended bank holiday celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, saying areas can expect heavy rain, thunderstorms and potential flooding.
The yellow thunderstorm warning covers ‘much of England and Wales’, and was introduced at midnight today (Sunday 5 June).
The Met Office listed conditions that may impact people, which include:
- Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life and some communities might become cut off if roads flood
- Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds
- Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
The adverse weather started in the early hours of this morning, when it mainly affected the South East, Midlands and East Anglia.
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Forecasters said it was then due to spread into Yorkshire, Wales and North West later in the morning.
The government’s flood-checking service also listed six flood alerts for the River Blythe in Warwickshire, the River Cole, the River Rea, the River Sow and River Penk, the River Stour and Smestow Brook in the Black Country and South Staffordshire, and the Upper Tame, warning: “Local flooding is possible but not expected from surface water in parts of the south and south-west of England and parts of Wales today (Sunday).
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“Local flooding is also probable from surface water in parts the east of England today (Sunday) and early Monday.
“Further isolated surface water impacts are possible in the south-east of England on Monday and Tuesday. Properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.”
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said there was a chance some areas could see up to 50mm of rain in an hour.
He said in a statement: “In contrast to last night and this morning, more places within the warning area on Sunday are likely to see heavy rain and thunderstorms. Where thunderstorms do occur impacts from heavy rain and frequent lightning strikes are possible.
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“A few places could see 15 – 20 mm of rain within an hour, with a small chance of 50 mm in an hour, most likely over parts of the Midlands, southeast England and East Anglia whilst the risk of thunderstorms over the northern part of the warning is smaller.
“Then, during Sunday afternoon new showers, some heavy and thundery, are likely over the southern or so third of the UK. North of the warning area in Northern England and Scotland conditions will be much more settled. If you’re planning outside events for Sunday, please keep a regular eye on the forecast for your area for any updates.”
Jess Hardiman