Yahoo News Thunderstorms to hit Lancashire and Cumbria today as Met Office issues 8-hour warning
The Met Office has issued another thunderstorm warning for parts of Lancashire and Cumbria today (July 10) with heavy rain set to batter the region.
A yellow warning came into force at 12pm and will last until 8pm tonight. It covers Lancaster, Morecambe and parts of the Ribble Valley as well as the whole of the Lake District and Cumbria. Forecasters say up to 40mm of rain could fall in two hours with a 'chance of localised flooding'.
It comes after the Met Office issued a 10-hour thunderstorms warning for the region yesterday (July 9). In the latest alert, forecasters advise that there is a "good chance" of driving conditions being affected by spray, standing water and hail, which may lead to longer journey times by car and bus.
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Some flooding of a few homes and businesses is also possible, with 15 to 25mm of rain expected to fall in less than an hour. Lightning strikes will be an additional hazard with the potential to cause some damage to buildings and structures, and the thunderstorms could also cause delays to train services, the Met Office warned.
The full warning read: "Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to break out today, mainly during the afternoon. Some places will miss these, but where the do occur, 15 to 25 mm rain may fall in less than an hour with a small chance of one or two spots seeing up to 40 mm in two hours, leading to a chance of localised flooding. Lightning strikes will be an additional hazard."
The showers and storms are expected to gradually ease during the evening. Here is the latest 5-day Met Office forecast for the region:
Wednesday:
Generally cloudy and damp with outbreaks of rain and heavy, possibly thundery showers through the afternoon. Turning breezy, especially around coasts and hills. Feeling cool for July. Maximum temperature 17C.
Tonight:
The chance of a few heavier showers this evening and then some patchy lighter spells of rain overnight. A slightly cooler night. Minimum temperature 10C.
Thursday:
Another generally cloudy day with the odd shower around, although most places remaining dry. Slightly brighter than on Wednesday but still on the cool side for July. Maximum temperature 17C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
A good deal of dry albeit rather cloudy weather through this period. Isolated heavy showers on Saturday. Temperatures generally below average but feeling warm when the sun comes out.
