Met Office issues NI weather warning for severe thunderstorms ⚡⛈️

Thunder buddies at the ready!

Met Office
Published 7th Aug 2020
Last updated 7th Aug 2020

The Met office has issued a thunderstorm warning for early next week affecting the whole of Northern Ireland.

The yellow warning will be in place all day Monday and Tuesday with forecasters predicting some parts of the province could experience severe lightning strikes, and hail.

Torrential rain could cause localised flash flooding across counties Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Derry~Londonderry & Fermanagh.

"Some places are likely to see severe thunderstorms early next week - but there is significant uncertainty in location and timing. At present the west seem less likely to be affected but still could not be ruled out. Where the storms occur, rainfall totals of 30-40 mm could fall in an hour, with some locations potentially receiving 60-80 mm in 3 hours, although these will be fairly isolated."

The Met Office's weather warning comes into effect from 00:01 Monday lasting through until 23:59 Tuesday.

"There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds."

"Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures."

"There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost."

There is some good news though, as a very humid sunny weekend is on the cards with parts of the province seeing temperatures soar to 22 degrees.

NORTHERN IRELAND LONG RANGE FORECAST

SATURDAY - Any patchy fog will soon clear to leave a dry and sunny day with light winds. Feeling warm. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

SUNDAY & NEXT WEEK - Warm or very warm and mostly dry, but a chance of thundery showers later on Monday and Tuesday.