The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for the UK, with rain and hail expected to impact several areas.
According to the new alert in effect from early morning until midday on Sunday, heavy rain, lightning, and hail are forecasted to affect regions including Gloucester, Bath, Salisbury, and Newport, among others. This warning could potentially impact thousands of individuals.
The forecasters have cautioned about challenging driving conditions, a slight possibility of power outages in homes and businesses, flooding, damage from water, lightning strikes, hail, strong winds, and potential disruptions to transportation services.
A band of heavy rain and thunderstorms is projected to move northward across the mentioned areas, with some locations likely to receive over an inch of rainfall accompanied by frequent lightning and hail.
Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer noted the windy conditions in the west, with coastal gales and strong winds expected through Sunday. While eastern areas may experience hazy sunshine, the western regions might face heavy, showery rain moving northwards in the afternoon.
A total lunar eclipse, known as the “blood moon,” is anticipated to be visible in parts of England and Wales on Sunday night, with the moon turning a deep red as the Earth’s shadow falls across its surface for the first time since 2022.
Clear skies may allow the eclipse to be seen around 7:30 pm, but the long-range forecast from the Met Office indicates unsettled weather patterns for the upcoming days. Showers, rain, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds could affect various regions, with the possibility of drier and sunnier spells towards the south later in the period.
Temperatures are expected to be near average or slightly below, with occasional increases during sunny intervals.