Met Office urgent warning as maps show where and when storms will hit UK today

17 September 2023 , 03:00

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The forecasting body warned of a 'small chance' lives could be put at risk in thunderstorms (Image: Met Office)

Met Office maps show where and when thunderstorms will hit the UK today after a yellow weather warning was issued.

Almost a month's rain could fall on parts of the UK on Sunday, the Met Office has said. The forecasting body warned of a "small chance" lives could be put at risk in thunderstorms which are expected to hit the south west of England and south Wales.

It has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across the region between 3am and 6pm, with maps showing the alert covering major cities including Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea. Homes and businesses could also be in danger of flooding quickly in "torrential downpours", although the risk is said to be low, as up to 70mm of rain falls in a few hours in some spots.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms (Met Office)

The September average rainfall for the region is 92.45mm. Buildings could also be damaged by lightning, hail or strong winds as well as floodwater.

There is also a "small chance" of power cuts or that other services to homes and businesses could be lost while some communities could also be cut off by floodwater, the forecaster said. People planning on travelling face the prospect of delays or sudden cancellations to trains and buses.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Roads may be closed at short notice due to spray and sudden floods and "difficult driving conditions" are expected on those that remain open. Met Office meteorologist Rachel Ayers said the region has already seen some rain fall but it is expected to get worse later this weekend.

She added: "The heaviest and most persistent rain will be this morning, bringing a risk of some potential flooding in homes and businesses."

'The heaviest and most persistent rain will be this morning' (Getty Images)

Ms Ayers urged drivers to think about their stopping distances if they need to travel on a motorway and to look at the Met Office and RAC websites for updates before setting off. She said the region's weather will "remain unsettled" early next week, bringing "very changeable and autumnal" conditions.

More heavy showers and even further thunderstorms are possible in the region early next week while the band of rain is set to move northwards. Much of England and Wales will remain unaffected by the storms but lighter rain could fall across the north of England, Northern Ireland and the west of Scotland over the weekend.

Cloudy conditions are expected in unaffected areas, with a possibility of sunny spells that are "likely to be fairly limited", while temperatures are not set to top the low 20s.

Douglas Patient