UK Hit by Thunderstorms, Flooding Roads and Disrupting Travel
Severe Weather Warnings in Place Across Large Swaths of the Country
2025-06-14 07:56:00 by Time.news Staff.
The UK is grappling with severe weather, including thunderstorms that have caused flooding and train disruptions, following the hottest day of the year. Amber and yellow weather warnings are in effect across various regions.
- Over 30,000 lightning strikes were recorded during the night.
- Amber warnings are in place for the South West, North East and North of England, Wales, and much of Scotland.
- Flooding has closed roads and disrupted rail services.
What’s happening with the weather in the UK? The UK has been pummeled by relentless thunderstorms, leading to flooded roads, train disruptions, and severe weather warnings across a broad area. Over 30,000 lightning strikes illuminated the night sky, accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Impact and Warnings
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning until 6 p.m. across the South West, North East and North of England, Wales, and much of Scotland. Some areas could see up to 80mm of rain in just a few hours. Strong wind gusts and hail are also adding to the chaos, potentially causing road flooding, dangerous driving conditions, power outages, and damage to homes and businesses.
The Environment Agency is urging people not to drive through floodwater. They emphasize that “just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.” A yellow warning is also active in the eastern half of Northern Ireland from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and a similar warning was in place overnight across the South East of England following an amber alert on Friday.
Affected Areas
Kent experienced heavy rainfall overnight, resulting in flooded roads in parts of Dover. A fire in a residential building in St Leonards-on-Sea on Friday night was likely sparked by lightning. Devon saw five flood warnings overnight from the Environment Agency, along with 46 flood alerts across the South West, South East, and Midlands. Natural Resources Wales has put in place six flood alerts in South Wales.
National Rail reported that a landslip had halted all services between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton, with weather conditions preventing engineers from reaching the site. Disruption is anticipated until around 1 p.m. Other rail operators have advised customers to check for service updates on Saturday morning. Heathrow Airport apologized to passengers late on Friday night for flight delays due to adverse weather conditions.
Weather Forecast
Sky News weather producer Steff Gaulter said, “The most active thunderstorms are over parts of Wales, Northern Ireland, Northern England, and Scotland, and some are still bringing localized downpours and strong winds.”
The storms are expected to move northwards, becoming mainly confined to Northern Ireland and Scotland by the afternoon. Elsewhere, a mix of sunshine and showers is anticipated, with showers easing during the day. Starting tomorrow, a high-pressure system will begin to influence the weather, bringing calmer and quieter conditions next week.
Despite the risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms, not everyone will see rain, with the driest and brightest weather expected in the South East, which will remain very warm.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first yellow heat-health alert of the year, active until 8 a.m. on Sunday in the east of England, East Midlands, London, and the South East.
Under the UKHSA and the Met Office’s weather-health alerting system, a yellow alert means there could be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people.
A yellow alert warns of a possible spike in vulnerable people accessing healthcare, and health risks for the over-65s and those with conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
While scientists have not assessed the role of global warming in this short-term event, in general they expect more heavy downpours as the climate changes.
That’s largely because hotter air can hold more moisture and so releases more water when it rains.
UK Hit by Thunderstorms: What You Need to Know
The United Kingdom is currently experiencing severe whether, including significant thunderstorms, which has lead to flooding and travel disruptions. Amber and yellow weather warnings are in effect across large swaths of the country, impacting various regions.
What’s Happening?
The UK is facing substantial disruption due to intense thunderstorms. These storms are causing significant issues, including flooded roads and disruptions to rail services. According to recent reports, over 30,000 lightning strikes were recorded during a single night.
Regions Affected
Several areas are under amber and yellow weather warnings, indicating a high risk of disruptive weather.
- Amber Warnings: In place for the South West,north East and North of England,Wales,and much of Scotland.
- Yellow Warnings: Active in the eastern half of Northern Ireland.
Impact on travel
Flooding has closed roads, and rail services have been severely disrupted, affecting commuters and travelers.A landslip halted services between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning across multiple regions, impacting travel and daily routines. The Habitat agency strongly advises against driving through floodwater due to the potential dangers.
Safety advice
The Environment Agency emphasizes the dangers of driving through floodwater, noting that even shallow flowing water can move a car. public safety is a top priority during these weather events.
Weather Forecast
The thunderstorms are expected to move northwards, with calmer conditions forecast for next week due to a high-pressure system. Nevertheless,the UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat-health alert in the east of England,East Midlands,London,and the South East.
The UKHSA advises that a yellow alert means there could be increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people. This is a time for caution, particularly for those most at risk from weather-related health issues.
Understanding the UK
The United kingdom, often abbreviated as the UK, is a sovereign nation in Western Europe [[2]]. It’s a constitutional monarchy composed of four constituent countries: England,Wales,Scotland,and Northern Ireland [[3]].The UK borders Ireland [[2]]. For those planning travel or simply curious, VisitBritain offers information on the UK’s cities, coastal routes, and attractions [[1]].
The country’s diverse geography and weather patterns meen that severe weather events, like the current thunderstorms, can impact different regions in varying ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas are under the most immediate threat?
The South West, North East and North of England, Wales, and Scotland are currently under amber warnings, while a yellow warning is in effect for the eastern half of Northern Ireland.
What should I do if I encounter floodwater?
Never drive through floodwater. Even shallow, flowing water can be hazardous and move your vehicle.
What are the long-term weather predictions?
After the thunderstorms, a high-pressure system is expected to bring calmer and quieter weather conditions next week.
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