The Met Office has issued a third thunderstorm warning covering a large part of Wales, marking a potentially stormy weekend ahead. The warning, which spans a 43-hour period, includes alerts for thunderstorms on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This series of warnings comes amidst a shift towards more unsettled weather, with thunderstorms expected to hit various parts of Wales.
As high pressure moves away to the north, Wales is bracing for a wetter forecast, particularly in the southern regions of the UK. BBC weather presenter Matt Taylor reported close to 1000 lightning strikes across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex on Friday morning. The upcoming weekend is expected to bring heavy showers and thunderstorms, notably across southern areas of Wales.
Yellow warnings for thunderstorms have been issued for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, covering different regions of the country. The warning for Friday is set from noon until 8 pm, Saturday from 1 am to just before midnight, and Sunday’s warning spans a 24-hour period from midnight. The Met Office forecasts varying conditions for the weekend, with showers, thunderstorms, and breezy weather expected.
Met Office chief meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, highlighted the risk of thunderstorms along with heavy rain, gusty winds, hail, and lightning in certain areas. The agency mentioned the possibility of showers evolving into longer spells of heavy rain, particularly in southern and central parts of the UK. Armstrong advised the public to stay updated on weather forecasts as further severe weather warnings may be issued in the coming days.
Looking beyond the weekend, the Met Office anticipates a temporary window of drier conditions on Tuesday before wet and windy weather returns from the North Atlantic. The change in weather patterns is also expected to bring about cooler temperatures in the following week. The warnings issued by the Met Office specify the areas at risk of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, providing essential information for residents and travellers.
The Met Office warned residents in specific regions of potential impact from heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning. The warnings cover areas including Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and more. As Wales prepares for turbulent weather conditions, the public is advised to stay alert and follow updates from the Met Office to ensure safety during the anticipated thunderstorms and showers.