Thunderstorm warning for parts of southern England and Waleson January 2, 2022 at 2:54 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Thunderstorms this afternoon may lead to disrupted road and rail travel, the Met Office warns.

A fisherman on the beach in Folkestone, Kent, as waves crash against the harbour wall during strong winds

Image source, PA Media

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the South East, East and South West of England, as well as parts of Wales.

“A band of thunderstorms will move quickly eastwards” until early evening, possibly causing “localised disruption”, the Met Office warned.

This follows unseasonably warm weather over the new year.

Saturday marked the warmest New Year’s Day on record, reaching 16.3C (61.3F) in London’s St James’s Park.

The latest Met Office warning suggested “a slight chance” of power cuts in the affected area, and cautioned that “sudden flooding”, as well as damage to trees and rooftops by high winds could lead to dangerous driving conditions.

The broad area facing possible disruption includes London, Oxford, Portsmouth and Bath. Heavy rain is already affecting a wide area of Wales, with yellow warnings in place for Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Newport.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services,” the Met Office warned.

On Friday, Britain saw its hottest-ever New Year’s Eve with temperatures reaching 15.8C (60.4F) in Merryfield, Somerset.

The Met Office said the extremely mild spell was driven by a flow of warm, moist air from the Canary Islands.

Cameron Holmes flyies through the air on his jet ski at Blyth in Northumberland

Image source, PA Media

But manmade climate change is also a factor: warm weather records are being broken nine times more frequently, according to the Met Office – a clear sign of an over-heating planet, according to BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin.

Globally, climate change has driven temperatures up by 1.1C. In recent days, the US reported dramatic winter wildfires in Colorado – halted by sudden, heavy snowfall – while the state of Alaska recorded its hottest-ever December day at the end of last month.

Turning colder

The Met Office said the weather across the UK was forecast to get cooler from Tuesday, potentially bringing wintry showers and frosts.

BBC Weather’s Tomasz Schafernaker said, following the “extraordinarily mild weather”, it is set to turn colder and temperatures would be “closer to the norm for the time of year” – with temperatures expected to be below freezing in Scotland and Northern Ireland by early Tuesday.

Most of the UK would continue to have “above average” temperatures on Sunday and Monday, he said, warning of low pressure and an approaching weather front bringing “a little bit of sleet and snow” to some northern parts of the UK by Monday.

Banner saying 'Get in touch'

If you’re in an area with storm warnings, how have you prepared? You can share your experience via email – Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can’t see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Yoghurt maker weeps at inquest into allergy deathon September 15, 2022 at 3:52 pm

Celia Marsh, who had a severe dairy allergy, died after eating a wrap from Pret A Manger.Image source, Leigh DayThe manufacturer of the dairy-free...

‘The Girl Next Door’ by Billie Eilish – A Woman’s Book

Book fans have no doubt heard of the legendary, multi-talented author, Billie Eilish. From her first book, Please Don't Make Me Puke, where she...

West Ham 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Unbeaten Seagulls win at Hammerson August 21, 2022 at 3:24 pm

Brighton score two goals with two shots on target to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with victory at pointless West Ham.Brighton score...

Energy crisis: How countries are dealing with rising priceson January 30, 2022 at 12:24 am

From cash handouts to price caps, other countries are using a variety of measures to combat soaring gas prices.

How the US Supreme Court is reshaping Americaon July 5, 2022 at 1:18 am

America's top court has issued decisions that have divided the country and challenged lawmakers.America's top court has issued decisions that have divided the country...