Thunderstorms in Yorkshire: Yellow weather warning issued for thundery rain this week in Leeds, York, Sheffield, Bradford, Hull and Harrogate

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across the region this week.

As warm and humid conditions bring a chance of heavy showers, thunderstorms and longer spates of rain, yellow weather warnings have been issued across parts of England and Wales - including areas in Yorkshire.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms across southwestern parts are expected to become more widespread and develop across England and Wales today (August 26).

This will bring potential for longer spells of rain and heavy, sometimes intense downpours, frequent lightning and localised disruption.

On Thursday, August 27, widespread slow-moving heavy and thundery rain is expected to spread across the north of the UK, bringing the potential for prolonged periods of rainfall in some areas.

As a result, these areas could see a significant increase in rainfalls over several hours, increasing the likelihood of localised impacts from heavy rain and thunderstorms, according to the Met Office.

Met Office chief forecaster, Steve Willington, said: “As we move into Wednesday there is a growing risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms, with warm and humid air helping to trigger heavy showers and thunderstorms.

“Some places could see significant amounts of rain falling in a short period of time, bringing the potential for localised flooding, travel disruption and frequent lightning.

“On Thursday, slow-moving heavy and thundery rain may bring prolonged rainfall to some areas, increasing the risk of localised impacts.

“There remains some uncertainty around where the heaviest rain will fall, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.”

Unstable weather conditions may continue into Friday, August 28, and the weekend, with further showers or longer spells of rain being possible at various times of the day, alongside some drier and brighter periods.

A band of heavy showers and thunderstorms is expected to move northwards this morning. A drier, brighter interlude may follow, but with a chance of further showers and thunderstorms breaking out during the afternoon.

Many places will miss these, but where they do take place they may be intense with 20-30mm of rain falling in less than an hour and perhaps 40-50mm in two to three hours in a few areas, leading to some surface water flooding.

Large hail and frequent lightning are also possible. The showers and thunderstorms will drift northwards and ease during the evening.

In Sheffield, a yellow weather warning has been issued for thunderstorms today until 10pm as well as tomorrow (August 27) from 6am to 10pm.

In Leeds, York, Bradford, Hull and Harrogate, a weather warning has been issued for thunderstorms tomorrow (August 27) and will be active from 6am to 10pm.

For tomorrow, a band of thunderstorms and heavy rain will move north across England and Wales, perhaps becoming slow moving in the afternoon and evening.

Accumulations of 20-30mm in three hours can be expected fairly widely and up to 50mm in a 12-hour period can be expected in areas.

There is a small chance that some areas may see more than 50mm in three hours and more than 75mm through 12 hours, especially over east facing high ground. Lightning and hail of 1-2cm will also be hazards.

Residents can expect a small risk of flooding and disruption from thunderstorms today, including a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes or hail. Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures and there is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

For tomorrow, people living in the areas above can expect a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

There is also a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life and where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

Spray and sudden flooding could result in difficult driving conditions and road closures, there is a slight chance of power cuts and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost as well as a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads.