The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for impending stormy weather in a large part of the UK, bringing heavy rain and hail.
The alert, effective from just after 8 a.m., forecasts heavy rain, lightning, and hail hitting various areas on Sunday until at least midday. The warning covers regions including Gloucester, Bath, Salisbury, and Newport, impacting nearly 20 localities and thousands of residents.
Forecasters caution about challenging driving conditions and a slight risk of power outages, property flooding, and damage from water, lightning, hail, or strong winds. Train and bus services could also face disruptions.
A band of heavy rain and thunderstorms is set to progress northward across the affected areas, potentially delivering over an inch of rain in some spots, accompanied by frequent lightning and hail, according to the Met Office.
The Met Office stated that a period of intense rain and thunderstorms will move northward, with some areas likely to experience 30-40mm of rain, along with a chance of frequent lightning and hail.
Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer mentioned, “It’s quite windy this morning, especially in the west with coastal gales, and strong winds are expected through much of Sunday. Eastern areas may see hazy sunshine, while the west could experience heavy rain showers moving northward during the afternoon.” This weather precedes a total lunar eclipse, known as the “blood moon,” visible in parts of England and Wales on Sunday night.
During the eclipse, the moon will appear deep red as the Earth’s shadow falls on the lunar surface, the first such event since 2022. Clear skies may offer visibility around 7:30 p.m., but some areas might experience changing weather conditions, as the Met Office long-range forecast predicts more stormy weather in mid-September.
The forecast anticipates an unsettled start with low pressure causing showers or rain across the UK. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds are possible, especially if deep low-pressure systems impact the country. Later in the period, some drier and sunnier conditions might develop, particularly in the south, with temperatures expected to be near average or slightly below, occasionally rising during sunny spells.
