Brits in seven regions have been told to “gather torches and batteries” as violent storms threaten to knock out power during a blistering 34C heatwave.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning this weekend, with thunderstorms set to hit just as parts of the country bake under extreme heat. Temperatures are expected to soar to 34C in eastern England and climb past 30C in the north. But from 3pm today until 4am Sunday, heavy storms could bring flash flooding, travel disruption, and power outages across the East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber. Some communities could be cut off by floodwaters, roads may close, and bus and train services could be cancelled, the forecaster warned. The Met Office said to those in impacted regions: “Consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to build through Saturday afternoon and move northeast, clearing by early Sunday. In a statement, the Met Office added: “Scattered thunderstorms may develop during Saturday afternoon, lasting through the evening hours, moving northeastwards before eventually clearing to the North Sea by the early hours of Sunday.
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“The most intense thunderstorms could produce frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds, along with some heavy downpours for a time. This may lead to some surface water impacts in places.”
They also urged residents to “consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects (such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents) or temporary structures are well secured.
“If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground.
“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.”
Regions and local authorities affected:East Midlands
- Derbyshire
- Nottinghamshire
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
- Scottish Borders
Wales
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Kingston upon Hull
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- York
