The weather is taking a dramatic turnNews
Shannon Brown Reporter
11:54, 11 May 2025
A warning for thunderstorms has been issued for the South West(Image: Getty Images)
The Met Office has issued a warning for thunderstorms across the South West, with potential risks of flooding, lightning strikes and power cuts.
Following a prolonged period of sunshine and warm weather for most, a significant shift in the weather is on the way.
Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected across a large portion of the country on Monday, May 12, including parts of northern Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire, as well as most of Wales and the West Midlands.
South Cornwall and South Devon are not included in the warning.
The warning begins at 12pm on Monday and continues until 10pm that evening.
Forecasters say that up to 30mm of rain could fall in less than an hour at times, potentially causing flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, said: “From Saturday night, into Sunday morning, there is an increasing chance of rain, showers and isolated thunderstorms moving northwards across the southwest of the UK.
“As we continue through Sunday and into Monday, this will extend to other western parts of Great Britain and into Northern Ireland too.
“On Monday itself, we could see some particularly vigorous thunderstorms developing, most likely in Wales and parts of southern England, whilst elsewhere during this whole period, dry, fine, and increasingly warm conditions are expected.
“Should these thunderstorms develop, especially on Monday, there is potential for 25-35mm of rain to fall in an hour or so which may lead to some localised surface water flooding. Hail, lightning, and isolated strong wind gusts would be additional hazards.
“Forecasting exactly where thunderstorms will form at this range is fraught with uncertainty, so please stay up to date with the Met Office forecast through the weekend, and any severe weather warnings which may be issued.”
Met Office thunderstorm warning weather map(Image: Met Office)
The Met Office warns: “Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop on Monday afternoon.
“Whilst these will be fairly fast-moving, rain may be intense for short periods of time and produce 20-30 mm in less than an hour, with 40-50mm within 1-2 hours in one or two places where thunderstorms grow larger.
“Lightning, hail and gusty winds will be additional hazards. Showers and thunderstorms will ease through the evening.”