The Met Office Issues Yellow Thunderstorm Warning

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for Clapham this afternoon.

Thunder and lightning can be expected at 5pm and will last for two hours, according to the latest forecast.

The yellow warning means that the storm could cause flooding, affect power supplies and disrupt transport.

Specifically, the following can be expected:

• Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds
• Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
• Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost

Met Office Principal Operational Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said, "Although the UK is predominantly very warm and hot at the moment, as is referenced with our extreme heat warning, there is a risk of some locally intense thundery downpours developing across parts of England this afternoon.

"These could be torrential in places across central and southeast England bringing a risk of some localised flooding."

The government's flood warning information service said: "Heavy rain and thunderstorms, bringing the potential for locally intense rainfall, are forecast to affect London from around 3pm this afternoon, Tuesday 20 July.

"While uncertainty remains around exact timings and which areas will experience the heaviest rain there is a possibility that rivers could respond quickly and overtop their banks.

"Flooding to low lying land, roads and riverside gardens is possible. Surface water flooding may also affect low lying areas. We recommend you monitor local weather conditions.

"You should avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

"We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and are checking rivers for blockages.

"We will update this message by 9am tomorrow, Wednesday 21 July or earlier if the situation changes."

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