The Met Office has warned of flooding and possible power cuts.
The Met Office has issued several weather warnings covering swathes of the UK on Saturday, with rain set to drench several cities.
The yellow thunderstorm warnings, which will run from 9am until 6pm, are in place for London & South East England, South West England, East of England, East Midland, West Midlands and Wales. The warnings state: “Frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected for much of Saturday before fading from the west during the mid to late afternoon. 10-15 mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, whilst some places could see 30-40 mm of rain over several hours from successive showers and thunderstorms. Frequent lightning, hail and strong, gusty winds will be additional hazards.” The warning applies to the south of the UK with a weather map showing major cities like Bristol, London, Birmingham and Cardiff affected. The Met Office has warned that there will be possible disruptions to transport and infrastructure.
A map shows the areas of the UK that have been given a yellow weather warning for Saturday. (Image: Met Office)
Additionally, they have warned that there will “probably” be damage to buildings and structures due to lightening strikes as well as possible delays to train services in the region, while “some short term loss of power and other services is likely”.
“Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit,” the Met Office warns. “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.
“People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
They add: “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.”
The weather map shows much of the UK soaked by rain on Saturday (Image: WXCHARTS)
The cities and major towns that are under the yellow weather warning:
- Leicestershire
- Northamptonshire
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Luton
- Hertfordshire
- Norfolk
- Southend-on-Sea
- Suffolk
- Thurrock
- Bracknell Forest
- Brighton & Hove
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Medway
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Slough
- Southampton
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- West Sussex
- Windsor
- Maidenhead Wokingham
- Bath
- North East Somerset
- Bournemouth
- Christchurch and Poole
- Bristol
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Plymouth Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Torbay
- Wiltshire
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- Conurbation
- Worcestershire
