Lightning tracker LIVE Met Office issues yellow storm weather warnings

Thunder and lightning is set to lash large swathes of the UK on Father’s Day bringing about thousands of lightning strikes across the country, with more than half a month’s worth of rain falling in some areas in the next 24 hours. A yellow Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms almost entirely covers England and Wales between noon and midnight on Sunday, and there is also one until 9pm in Northern Ireland. It warns of heavy showers, with as much as 80mm falling within three to six hours in the worst affected regions. You can track where the lightning and storms are about to hit on this interactive map .

Jonathan Vautrey, a Met Office forecaster, said: “Some places could see 40mm to 60mm of rain, even 80mm in some places, which is more than half a month’s worth of rainfall depending on where you are.

“That could cause some sudden flooding spray on roads which could cause some difficult travelling conditions over the next 24 hours.”

In June, the entire UK averages 12 days of rain, totalling 77mm. A yellow thunderstorm warning almost entirely covers England and Wales between noon and midnight, and there is also one until 9pm in Northern Ireland.

It warns of heavy showers, the potential for frequent lightning, strong winds and hail – which could cause flooding, travel issues and power cuts. In northern England and Scotland, a yellow heavy rain warning is in place from 7pm on Sunday until noon on Monday.

Mr Vautrey said: “Overnight some places had showers and heavy bursts of rain, particularly in north-west England and the south-east.

“There were a couple of thunderstorms and rainy patches that grazed western Scotland, with heavy rain in Northern Ireland. If you were in those pockets, you would have seen heavy outbursts.”

He added: “With the heavy rain expected over the next 24 hours or so that could exacerbate some issues with flooding – but it has been very dry of late.”

The Environment Agency had 14 flood alerts in place across the Midlands and northern England on Sunday morning, meaning flooding is possible.

There are generally moderate or high UV levels across the UK, despite there being more cloud, while grass and nettle pollen is also very strong, the Met Office said. Temperatures will reach the low twenties – making the air feel humid – despite the UK being in an area of low pressure.

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Met Office issues yellow weather warnings ahead of storms

Thunder and lightning is set to lash large swathes of the UK on Father’s Day bringing about thousands of lightning strikes across the country, with more than half a month’s worth of rain falling in some areas in the next 24 hours.

A yellow Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms almost entirely covers England and Wales between noon and midnight on Sunday, and there is also one until 9pm in Northern Ireland.

It warns of heavy showers, with as much as 80mm falling within three to six hours in the worst affected regions.

You can track where the lightning and storms are about to hit on this interactive map .

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