Brits brace for ‘flooding’ as thunderstorms bring ‘heavy’ rain warning

It will cover much of Wales and the South West of England.

Impacted areas in the South West include: Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Torbay and Wiltshire.

The outskirts of the West Midlands could also face disruption, with the Met Office warning stretching to Herefordshire and Shropshire.

However, Wales will face most of the problems as Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Met Office said: “Scattered slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop across parts of Wales and southwest England during Saturday afternoon.

“Whilst many places will see little or no rainfall, some locations could see 20-30 mm in an hour or two.

“There is a small chance that repeated shower development could result in a few places seeing 40-50 mm.

“Showers and thunderstorms will gradually fade during Saturday evening.”

The UK’s national weather service claimed the warning could result in disruption as “slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms” continue to impact the identified local authorities.

Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficulties driving and even road closures.

There is also a chance of flooded roads and delays to public transport.

The Environment Agency has also issued 27 flood alerts across England.

Flood alerts mean residents in the area should know flooding is possible.

Most of the alerts were issued across southern England.