Thunderstorms threaten downpours after lightning badly disrupts travel

Torrential downpours could hit parts of Scotland today with the threat of flooding and lightning damage.

The Met Office has issued a yellow – “be aware” – severe weather warning that will be in force across the north east until 2pm.

The agency said there was a “good chance” that driving conditions would be affected by spray, standing water and/ or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.

Short-term power cuts are also likely.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “Thunderstorms will become more widespread across north east Scotland during the early hours of Saturday morning, perhaps merging into longer periods of heavy and thundery rain.

“Where the thunderstorms occur, torrential downpours are possible with 20mm of rainfall in one hour and perhaps 30-40mm in two or three hours.

“Large hail, frequent lightning and strong and gusty winds will be additional hazards.

“The thunderstorms will become less frequent and the risk of disruption will decrease on Saturday afternoon.” Further rain will follow tomorrow.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said there was a risk of surface water flooding across the whole east coast of Scotland, with possible wider flooding.

The warnings followed significant disruption to rail passengers after lightning knocked out signalling in York.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which operates trains between Scotland and London on the east coast main line, told its passengers yesterday: “Do not travel.”

For a time, southbound trains ran only as far as Darlington, and northbound trains terminated at Doncaster.

Passengers were shuttled by coach over the 90 miles between them.

That was followed by a “much reduced and slower” through service when it resumed.

A LNER spokesman said: “Severe weather in Yorkshire has affected all signalling in York and Leeds.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “A signalling cabinet was struck by lightning outside York station which is causing significant disruption.

“A lot of trains are at a standstill including everything around York.”

Paula Dunstable tweeted: “Seems a lightning strike has taken out the whole [East] Coast Mainline…stuck at Peterborough…on an increasingly hot train the LNER 09:30 Kings X /Edinburgh going nowhere…with 400 other passengers.”

Jazz Berry tweeted that her train from London to Leeds was “unbearable, crammed with people”.

“This is awful – it’s 33 degrees inside the train. People can’t breathe”.

The disruption came as the UK experienced soaring temperatures on what was dubbed “Furnace Friday”.

But Met Office chief meteorologist Will Lang said: “While Saturday will be a pleasant, but breezy day in many places, we are in for a change on Sunday with a wet and windy day in stark contrast to what has been typical recently.”

adalton@scotsman.com