Thunderstorms across the UK are expected to bring dangerous weather conditions today, with up to 80mm of rainfall possible in just a few hours. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms, with heavy rain and the risk of flooding and travel disruption across various parts of the country.
According to the Met Office, low-pressure systems will dominate most of the UK, particularly affecting the northwest of England and Scotland, where the heaviest rain is forecast. The conditions could lead to flash floods, while disruptions to transport services are also likely.
Weather experts warn that some areas could experience “danger to life” due to fast-flowing floodwater. These intense storms will persist into the afternoon, gradually moving northwards.
Warnings Across Multiple Regions
The Met Office has identified 100 locations across the UK where thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected, including parts of Scotland, northern England, and Wales. These areas are at risk of experiencing up to 80mm of rainfall, which could overwhelm drainage systems and lead to significant surface water flooding.
The warning covers regions such as Central Scotland, including Aberdeen and Moray, and parts of Northern England, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland. Other affected areas include parts of Wales and South West England, with notable places such as Cardiff, Plymouth, and Bristol expected to experience severe conditions.
According to the Met Office, the following 100 areas are under yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms today:
- Central, Tayside & Fife: Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
- East Midlands: Derbyshire
- Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
- Highlands & Eilean Siar: Highland
- North East England: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
- North West England: Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
- South West England: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Torbay, Wiltshire
- Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
- 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, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire - Yorkshire & Humber: North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York
Northern Ireland: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down
As of the latest update, the storms are expected to shift northward throughout the day, with southern areas seeing an improvement by the evening. However, the Met Office has cautioned that localized thunderstorms may continue in some places. The heavy rain could lead to flash floods and make travel hazardous, with flooding posing a serious risk to life.
Flooding and Travel Disruption Likely
The storms are expected to bring more than just rain. Hail is also forecast, particularly in the afternoon, with the potential for disruption to transport networks.
The Environment Agency has issued a warning about possible surface water flooding, urging people not to drive through floodwaters. Even as little as 30cm of fast-flowing water is enough to move a car, making conditions particularly dangerous for drivers.
Airports such as Heathrow have already reported delays due to adverse weather conditions, and rail operators have advised passengers to check service updates throughout the day. Those planning to travel should stay informed and be prepared for possible disruptions, as the conditions could cause delays across various modes of transport.
