The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain set to affect parts of North Somerset, Bristol, and the wider South West region later this week. The warning will be active from 6am until 10pm on Thursday, 27 August.
Forecasters have alerted residents and businesses to a small risk of rapid flooding, with potential damage to buildings caused by floodwaters, lightning strikes, hail, and strong winds. There is also a slight possibility that fast-flowing and deep floodwaters could pose a danger to life.
Additional concerns include potential delays and cancellations to transport services, challenging driving conditions, and the risk of power outages. Some communities may become temporarily isolated if local roads flood.
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The Met Office explained: “A band of thunderstorms and heavy rain will sweep north across England and Wales, possibly slowing during the afternoon and evening. Rainfall totals of 20-30 mm within three hours are expected across many areas, with up to 50 mm over 12 hours in some places.”
“There is a small chance that some locations, especially those on east-facing high ground, could see more than 50 mm in three hours and over 75 mm within 12 hours. Lightning and hail measuring one to two centimetres are additional hazards.”
This Thursday warning follows a separate yellow thunderstorm alert for Bristol and Gloucestershire, in place from 6am to 10pm on Wednesday.
The heavy rainfall arrives as the South West remains under drought conditions, with ongoing hosepipe bans across the region.