The Met Office has issued a 30-hour weather warning for Wales, with thunderstorms forecasted for Friday and Saturday. Following a period of settled weather, a change is expected as high pressure moves north, bringing wetter conditions, particularly in the southern half of the UK. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are predicted to develop across southern areas, prompting yellow warnings for thunderstorms on both Friday and Saturday.
The warning for Friday is in place from noon until 8 pm, while the Saturday warning covers the entirety of Wales starting at 1 am and ending just before midnight. Met Office chief meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, highlighted the potential for thunderstorms to bring lightning, gusty winds, hail, and heavy rain. These conditions are expected to persist into Saturday, with the risk of longer spells of heavy rain in some areas.
While not everyone within the warning areas will experience a thunderstorm, the possibility of showers merging into longer spells of heavy rain on Sunday and Monday remains. The Met Office also anticipates a drop in temperatures as unsettled weather continues. The warnings cover areas at risk of thunderstorms, including Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, and more.
Looking ahead, a period of drier conditions is expected on Tuesday before wet and windy weather returns across the UK. The Met Office advises keeping up-to-date with the latest forecasts for specific areas. The agency notes that showers and thunderstorms may develop and spread northwestwards, potentially bringing 20-40 mm of rainfall in a short period. Hail and lightning may accompany intense storms, especially in certain regions.
As the weather pattern shifts, the Met Office warns of successive bands of rain post-storm conditions and advises vigilance in monitoring weather updates. Stay informed about the latest news and weather updates for Wales.