A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office, covering much of southern England and parts of southern Wales. The alert is in place until 11.59pm on Monday, October 7, 2024, as severe weather is expected to bring heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds.
The areas affected include East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Bristol, Somerset, and parts of southern Wales, including Cardiff and Swansea. Motorists and travellers are being urged to take precautions due to potential disruptions to road and rail travel.
Frank Saunders, a chief meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: “Areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms will move northwards across southern parts of England and Wales later this afternoon before clearing overnight. Thunderstorms are most likely for south-facing coastal districts, and hail and some strong gusts of wind could accompany the heaviest showers.”
The Met Office has warned of difficult driving conditions, with the risk of spray, standing water, and hail increasing journey times for both road and bus travellers. Rail services may also face delays, and Network Rail is advising passengers to check for updates before travelling.
Potential Flooding and Heavy Rain
Some areas are expected to receive 20-30mm of rain within just a few hours, with isolated regions potentially seeing up to 40mm. Localised flooding could be a possibility, especially in parts of Sussex and west Surrey, as highlighted by BBC South East weather presenter Nina Ridge.
The rain is expected to clear by midnight,” Ridge added.
Preparations for Flooding
People in flood-prone areas are being advised to take precautions and check the Environment Agency’s website for up-to-date flood warnings. The risk of further heavy showers and thunderstorms persists, with the Met Office predicting more unsettled weather across central and southern parts of the UK on Tuesday.
In addition, the Met Office has indicated that there is “increasing confidence” that ex-Hurricane Kirk may bring additional heavy rains and strong winds to northern France later this week, though the UK is expected to avoid the worst of the storm.
