Rare amber weather warning issued by Met Office for Gloucestershire with flooding and lightning danger
The Met Office has issued a rare amber weather warning for rain for most of Gloucestershire on Monday (September 23). It runs from 5am to 9pm and heavy downpours could cause flooding and disruption - lightning could be an additional hazard.
The whole of the county will also be under a yellow severe weather warning on Monday. The amber alert covers Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud and parts of the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds.
It follows thunderstorm weather warnings on Friday and Saturday and a rain warning for today (Sunday). Friday's heavy rain caused widespread disruption in Gloucestershire with flash-flooding hitting the M5, A40, many local roads.
READ MORE:Third school forced to close after 'severe' flooding in thunderstorm
Chosen Hill School in Churchdown and Tewkesbury CofE Primary School will be shut on Monday after flooding caused damage. Some homes also had to contend with floodwater pouring in during the height of the thunderstorm on Friday.
In its amber warning for Monday, the Met Office said heavy rain is expected to produce some flooding and travel disruption. The warning zone also covers much of the Worcestershire, Herefordshire, the Midlands and the North-East of England.
In Gloucestershire, the Met Office is forecasting the heaviest rain from 6am through to 9pm. Temperatures will be up to 18C and down to 14C.
What to expect
Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
Homes and businesses may be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
A possibility that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads
Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely
The Met Office adds: "An area of heavy rain is expected to develop across central and southern England during the early of hours of Monday, edging north and west and then becoming slow-moving somewhere across the warning area for several hours. It will then weaken and move away eastwards later Monday evening and overnight.
"Not all counties within the warning area will be equally affected, but it seems likely that some areas will see 60-80 mm and a few places may receive 100-120mm or more. This is likely to result in travel disruption and some flooding. Lightning may be an additional hazard in places."
Met Office West Country forecast
Today: A cloudy start with outbreaks of rain across the region, slowly moving northwards with heavy downpours along the Devon and Somerset coastline and across Gloucestershire. Brighter spells spreading from the south through the afternoon, though remaining rather cloudy. Light winds. Maximum temperature 20 °C.
Tonight: Heavy rain clearing north leaves a rather settled, albeit cloudy, night for many. A scattering of showers in the far southwest slowly spreads into Cornwall and Devon by morning. Minimum temperature 13 °C.
Monday: Occasional showers in the far southwest spread east through the day, with isolated heavy downpours at times. Otherwise cloudy, and feeling less humid than recent days. Breezy along the coast. Maximum temperature 18 °C.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday: Turning cooler, with a mix of sunshine and showers through Tuesday. Becoming more widely wet and windy on Wednesday and Thursday with spells of heavy rain arriving from the southwest.