UK climate: New thunderstorm warning from Met Office after buildings hit by lightning in a single day | EUROtoday

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England and Wales are set to be battered by thunderstorms on Thursday because the Met Office issued a 12-hour warning for unhealthy climate.

Lightning strikes, sudden flooding, and powerful winds are anticipated between 12pm and midnight the forecaster has mentioned.

It comes after greater than 35,000 lightning strikes lit up the skies of southern England in a single day – two of which destroyed the roofs of properties in West Sussex.

Overnight, a care dwelling in Elmer, West Sussex, was struck by lightning and sustained harm to its roof, based on West Sussex Fire & Rescue.

Were you impacted by lightning strikes? Email alexander.butler@impartial.co.uk

A college constructing in Chichester was additionally struck, inflicting harm to its roof and energy system, the town’s fireplace service mentioned.

One resident who lived close by the care dwelling instructed the BBC: “I was looking up at the lightning. The thunder had rumbled around. I got up because I was concerned about the dog.

“And then suddenly there was a massive bang and a massive flash all at the same time. There were fire engines and ambulances and people were being removed from the home.”

Southern England and Wales bore the brunt of the heavy rain and thunderstorms final evening, with two climate warnings in place all through the evening and into this morning.

There had been additionally delays on some Great Western Railway providers this morning after lightning broken the electrical energy provide between Westbury and Castle Cary.

Commuters had been warned of journey chaos this morning, as a result of spray and sudden flooding, whereas trains and buses could also be delayed or cancelled.

On the brand new warning, the Met Office mentioned: “While some areas will remain dry, thunderstorms are likely to develop this afternoon and evening from the east and move relatively slowly westwards or northwestwards.

“Where thunderstorms occur, heavy rain accompanied by frequent lightning is likely with potential for 25 to 30 mm of rain to fall in 1 or 2 hours in a few places and perhaps as much as 50 mm could fall in one or two spots. In a few places there may also be some hail.”

Marco Petagna, a meteorologist on the Met Office, mentioned: “After a night of storms, the rain will ease in the south of England for a while.

“We could see the skies brightening up in a few places and it will be another warm day. Parts of the South East could even get to 24 degrees and beat today’s temperatures.”

Looking forward to the financial institution vacation weekend, Mr Petagna added that the forecast confirmed a “very mixed picture”.

Temperatures may attain 24C in components of the south east, following a excessive of twenty-two.1C on Wednesday which was the warmest UK temperature but for 2024.

MET OFFICE OUTLOOK

Thursday

Early thundery rain throughout southern England and south Wales easing. Some vibrant spells creating, though additional thundery showers could develop later. Some heat sunshine elsewhere, however chilly round North Sea coasts the place there could possibly be some low cloud.

Thursday evening:

Areas of rain over the southern half of the UK unfold west with the danger of thunderstorms. Dry elsewhere with low cloud reforming in some northern and japanese components.

Friday:

Cloudy with some heavy showers throughout central components which might be thundery. Mainly dry with sunny spells throughout north Scotland, Northern Ireland and the southwest. Temperatures simply above common.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Remaining unsettled for the financial institution vacation. Rain at occasions, with heavy showers however sunnier spells every so often. Temperatures typically above common means from cloud and rain.