The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for lightning today (Saturday, June 18) covering most of the South West region. Power cuts, building damage and other disruption is possible this afternoon and this evening, the forecaster has advised.
A map shared alongside the warning shows that all of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Dorset and most of Wiltshire is affected. The boundary stops in South Gloucestershire just above Yate, not venturing further into Gloucestershire, and covers Marlborough but not Swindon.
The yellow warning came into force just before 3pm and will be lifted at 7pm. It states: "An area of storms producing lightning may lead to disruption in the coming hours
Read more: Huge downpours to lash Bristol after heatwave and 'Tropical Night'
"Some short term loss of power or other utility services is possible [and] possibly some damage to some buildings/structures." Temperatures have plummeted below 20C today in stark contrast to yesterday, which was the hottest day of the year so far with some areas recording more than 30C heat.
In contrast today has been overcast and drizzly for many South West locations. In Bristol, the Met Office is forecasting six solid hours of heavy rain from 4pm until 10pm.
The outlook is looking similarly soggy in Somerset, with Taunton and Bridgwater forecast heavy rain for much of the evening - the likelihood of precipitation in both locations is more than a 95 per cent at 7pm, which is as resounding as the forecast gets.
No lightning storms are forecast in our area at the time of writing, but the weather warning advises people to be aware of the possibility that it could come our way.
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