Met Office issues thunderstorm warnings for Wales

The Met Office has issued back to back thunderstorm warnings for parts of Wales today and into the weekend.

While north Wales will initially remain dry, heavy showers and thunderstorms could cause some disruption on Friday (September 20) in the lower half of the country.

Heavy rain

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office and will remain in place from 12pm on Friday until 8pm.

On Saturday (September 21), the forecaster has issued another yellow warning for thunderstorms affecting the whole of Wales.

It will remain in place from 1am on Saturday until 11.59pm.

The weather service has warned that hail and frequent lightning could accompany the “thunderstorms and heavy showers” and that up to 70mm of rain could fall in the worst affected areas on Saturday.

Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

Power cuts

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

There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

The forecaster warned 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 which could cause a danger to life.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said: “We are being spoiled by almost summer’s last hurrah, but there’s a bit of a change coming down the line as we move our way through towards Friday, and especially the weekend.”

As of September 17, the UK has seen an average 49.5mm of rainfall this month – which is typical for this time of year, Mr Stroud said.

“Successive bands of rain” and “normal conditions for autumn” are expected next week, he added.