Flash-flooding in Truro as Met Office issues amber warning for thunderstorms
Downpours turned roads in the city into rivers on Monday lunchtime!
Last updated 15th Aug 2022
After the heatwave in Cornwall, heavy rain has turned roads in the centre of Truro into rivers. This was the scene at the Trafalgar Roundabout on Monday lunchtime, after downpours hit.
It comes as the 'Extreme Heat' weather warning is replaced by a three-day weather warning for thunderstorms.
The Met Office has said locally heavy rain and lightning strikes could hit some places, with the risk of travel disruption.
It has issued a new amber warning for areas north and east of Newquay, between 2pm and 8pm on Monday 15th August.
Yellow warnings, covering the whole of the Duchy, are in force between 10am on Monday and 23.59pm on Tuesday 16th August, followed by another from 9am to 23.59pm on Wednesday 17th August.
The Met Office amber warning states: "Thunderstorms and heavy showers are likely to cause travel disruption and, in a few places flooding".
The yellow warning states: "Hit-and-miss thunderstorms likely to develop through Monday, producing some torrential downpours for some spots, and possible disruption".
For Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasters say: "While some places stay dry, others are likely to see thunderstorms with torrential rain".
What can we expect?
For those places covered by the amber warning, the Met Office says flooding of homes and businesses is likely, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds. Fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a risk to life and when flooding occurs, travel disruption is likely. Areas covered by the yellow warning can expect:
Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
There is a chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater.
Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
Monday's forecast states: "Already some showers to start the day, but these likely to become more widespread and heavier through the late morning and afternoon, lasting into the evening in places.
"Some counties are likely to miss the worst of these storms but where they do occur, slow-moving torrential downpours could produce 20-30mm inside an hour, with 40-50mm falling in around 2-3 hours in a few spots. Hail and frequent lightning could pose additional hazards for some".
Tuesday's forecast states: "Whilst some places will miss them, thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain seem likely to develop quite widely on Tuesday across parts of England and Wales.
"20-30mm of rain is possible within an hour, but where areas of thundery rain become slow-moving, some places could see 50mm in less than three hours.
"There is a low probability that higher totals could occur in a few spots over the course of the day, while hail and frequent lightning are likely additional hazards for some places. There is considerable uncertainty at this stage in regional and county level focus".
Wednesday's forecast states: "Whilst some places will miss them, thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain will develop quite widely on Wednesday across the southern England.
"20-30mm of rain is possible within an hour, but where areas of thundery rain become slow-moving, some places could see 60mm in less than three hours. A few spots could see more rainfall than this still, whilst hail and lightning may be additional hazards".
You can check the latest weather warnings for Cornwall and the UK on the Met Office website.