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01st Jun 2018

Yellow weather warning as UK braces for 48 hours of ‘life-threatening’ thunder and lightning

Thunderstorms are forecast to batter the country over the weekend

Oli Dugmore

Thunderstorms are forecast to batter the country over the weekend

The Met Office has warned that weather conditions over the weekend present a “danger to life” as storms pose a risk of flash flooding and deep water.

The forecaster said: “Thunderstorms are likely to affect northern and western parts of the UK during Friday.

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

“There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.”

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said “heavy downpours” will cover the country on Friday morning.

“Heavy rainfall and humidity will continue in some locations through Friday night and Wales, in particular, will see heavy downpours continue as we start off Friday.

“The focus for thunderstorms will start to move its way northwards on Friday, so a dry start for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England but increasingly we are going to see some showers develop here as well.

“Temperatures will rise and some sun will come out but humidity will climb as well and that humid air will move its way northwards.

“By the afternoon of Friday across Scotland, parts of north-west England, Northern Ireland, Wales, central parts of England as well the West Midlands, for example, torrential thunderstorms are expected to develop again.”