Flooding and power cuts warning as storms loom

THUNDERSTORMS are set to strike much of the UK today, forecasters have warned.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy showers and thunder which could cause flooding, power cuts and travel disruption in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The warning covers large expanses of the three nations, with the exception of some coastal areas, and lasts from midday until 10pm.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain is expected to deluge the areas covered by the yellow warnings.

He said: “On Saturday we will see a band of heavy rain push north-eastwards across the UK, followed by sunshine and heavy showers.

“Sunday will see the heavy rain clearing to bright and sunny spells and heavy showers in the east.”

This comes after areas including London have already seen a month’s worth of average rainfall for August with 12 days still to go.

Meanwhile, other areas have been exceptionally dry, including North Yorkshire which has had less than 50% of its usual rainfall.

Mr Dewhurst said overall UK temperatures and rainfall for the time of year are “about average”.