Households across large parts of England and Wales are being urged not to use landline telephones on Wednesday, as the Met Office issues a nine-hour thunderstorm warning with power cuts and lightning strikes deemed “likely.” The advice, which may surprise many, is rooted in safety.
Telephone wires can act as conductors during lightning strikes, carrying a charge directly into homes. While mobile phones are safe to use, officials stress that traditional landlines should be avoided except in emergencies until storms have passed.
The warning, in place from 11am until 8pm, covers a vast swathe of the country, from Yorkshire and the Humber down to London and the South West, with much of the Midlands and parts of South Wales also under alert.
The Met Office said scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms would build through the day, before easing later in the evening. In the most active storms, hail, strong winds and intense lightning are expected.
With electricity networks at risk, the likelihood of short-term power cuts is high.
Residents are being urged to unplug non-essential appliances to protect against power surges and to prepare for sudden losses of lighting and heating.
There is also a small chance of localised flooding, with the heaviest bursts of rain potentially overwhelming drains and causing surface water to pool on roads.
Travel disruption is another major concern. Roads are expected to be affected by spray, standing water and hail, and drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Train services may also face delays and cancellations due to the impact of heavy rain and lightning on signalling equipment.
The warning extends to 51 local authority areas, including London, Greater Manchester, Leicester, Nottingham, Southend, Swansea and large parts of Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire.
The Met Office explained that while many thunderstorms pass quickly, the combination of lightning, strong winds and torrential rain means even short-lived storms can be dangerous.
“Thunderstorms can occur at any time of year,” a spokesperson said, “but in summer they are most likely to produce large hail, gusty winds and heavy downpours that can damage property and cause disruption to transport networks.”
By Wednesday evening, the storms are expected to move away, but people should be careful as lightning can be unpredictable, and households should take every precaution.
