Thunderstorm and flood warning issued for Lancashire as severe weather set to batter whole of UK

Thunderstorms have been forecast across Lancashire, prompting warnings of potential power cuts and damage to homes caused by flooding, lightning and hail.
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As the heatwave grips the nation the Met office has issued a two-day thunderstorm warning for the whole of the UK.

Severe storms, lightning strikes, and hail have been predicted, with the possibly of 30-40mm of rain falling in just one hour prompting warnings of flash flooding.

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Forecasters have also said flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds possible.

The Met Office says it is too early to say with certainty where the storms will hit, but the entire country is currently in the warning zone.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Areas of thunderstorms are increasingly likely to develop over the south of the UK or nearby continent late in the weekend or early next week, and will generally track north or north-westwards, potentially affecting all parts of the UK at some points during this period.

"Whilst the most intense thunderstorms, in some instances associated with large hail, will most probably be those triggered by the high temperatures of the day over England and Wales, other areas of storms producing heavy rainfall and frequent lightning could reach further north at times over Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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"Where the storms occur, rainfall totals of 30-40 mm could fall in an hour, with some locations potentially receiving 60-80 mm in 3 hours, although these will be fairly isolated."

Thunderstorms have been forecast across Lancashire. (Photo by Stephen Cheatley)Thunderstorms have been forecast across Lancashire. (Photo by Stephen Cheatley)
Thunderstorms have been forecast across Lancashire. (Photo by Stephen Cheatley)

The yellow warning is in place from midnight on Monday until 23.59pm on Tuesday.

Here's what to expect:

- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes and large hail.

- There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life

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- Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and increased chance of accidents.

- Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to public transport.

- There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost