As many as 11 areas in the UK could be hit with power cuts, the loss of mobile phone signal and travel disruption due to thunderstorms today the Met Office has warned. The forecaster has issued a yellow weather warning covering a 10 hour period in the UK starting at midday today, Thursday August 14 and lasting until 10pm, warning of thunderstorms and lightning.
The warning covers areas in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It had been set to cover 38 areas but the forecaster has since shrunk the warning area to 11 regions, although in turn it says the likelihood of impact in the affected regions has now increased.
The forecaster says flash flooding, power cuts and travel disruption could all hit the UK today as well as a risk of a danger to life.
The Met Office said in its warning: “Scattered showers are likely to develop today, turning heavy in a few places. Flash flooding is possible where heavy showers occur.
“There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.
“Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life. Where flooding occurs, there is a chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services.”
It said in its forecast: “Whilst not all areas will be affected, heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop in places during Thursday afternoon and evening across parts of central and eastern Scotland. These will be rather slow-moving, potentially giving rainfall accumulations of 20-40 mm in less than an hour and perhaps 50-70mm over 1-2 hours in one or two very isolated spots. This brings a chance of surface water flooding, as well as damage from lightning strikes and large hail.
“A scattering of heavy showers, a few of which could turn thundery, are likely to develop across parts of eastern Northern Ireland this afternoon. Whilst very isolated lightning strikes are possible, the main hazard will come from heavy rain, which could cause flash flooding in a few places.
“Most places will see 10-20mm, or fewer, falling over the course of an hour or more, but the heaviest showers could deliver up to 40mm in an hour with a small chance that somewhere could see over 50mm through the afternoon.”
It added: “People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
“Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
“Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”
The 11 areas affected by the Met Office yellow weather warning right now are:
Angus
Dundee
Fife
Perth and Kinross
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
Moray
Highland
County Antrim
County Armagh
County Down