Met Office Warns UK of 75mm Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding Through Thursday
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 26
Met Office Warns UK of 75mm Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding Through Thursday
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 26
Summary
Two Met Office thunderstorm warnings take effect from 02:00 BST and 06:00 BST on Thursday, covering south-east England first and then a broader swath of England and Wales until 22:00.
Up to 75mm of rain could fall in the wettest spots, with 20-30mm possible in a few hours, raising risks of flash flooding, road closures, power cuts and travel disruption.
Heavy downpours are expected to move north from southern England and south Wales into the Midlands, eastern England and northern England, with large hail, lightning and gusty winds also possible.
Rain and brisk winds are then set to continue through the bank-holiday weekend, threatening outdoor events including Reading and Leeds, Creamfields, Manchester Pride and Notting Hill Carnival.
The rain may briefly help drought-hit parts of England and Wales, but forecasters said it will not end the dry spell because water supplies need months of sustained wet weather.