Potential for strong to severe thunderstorms in Flintshire today

The hot weather is creating ideal conditions for thunderstorms which are expected bring to heavy rain and increasing risks from flash flooding, lightning and hail to parts of the region later today.

Yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place in Flintshire and across the country between now and Thursday.

Today thunderstorm warnings cover much of the UK away from northern Scotland warning of the risk of heavy showers, frequent lightning and gusty winds with 30 to 40mm of rain possible in an hour.

However, Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale says; “a second yellow thunderstorm warning is also in place for parts of North West England, North Wales and West Midlands where the worst of the storms are likely to occur. Here exceptional rainfall totals could be seen of 60mm in an hour with a very small chance of 150mm of rainfall in 3 or 4 hours”.

The Met Office said, “severe thunderstorms may bring disruption to travel and power supplies as well as some damage to buildings.”

Map shows Lighting strikes being recorded in North Wales and Cheshire at 12:30pm

These may contain large and damaging hail, torrential rain, frequent lightning and possibly very strong and gusty winds.

Whilst many areas will see some heavy rain, hail and thunder at times where the worst of the storms occur some exceptional rainfall totals are possible.

60 mm of rain is possible in an hour with a very small chance of 150 mm in 3 or 4 hours.”

According to Netweather.TV the storms are “capable of producing large hail of 3-4cm.

What what the Met Office has said to expect: