Severe Weather Alert: Met Office Extends Thunderstorm Warning for Greater Manchester Amid Heavy Rain

The Met Office has issued and extended multiple yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain across Greater Manchester and various parts of England and Wales, impacting the bank holiday weekend. A new nine-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been placed on Greater Manchester, coming into force at midday on August 28 and lasting until 9pm that night. This warning extends across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Yorkshire, much of Lancashire, Merseyside, the Midlands, Teesside, and Wales, following previous thunderstorm activity on Thursday.

Separately, a weather alert for thunderstorms initially issued from 3am to 10pm on Wednesday, August 26, was extended by the Met Office to continue until midnight on August 27. This broader warning covered much of England, including London, the South East, the Midlands, East Anglia, parts of the North West, South West, and eastern parts of Wales, specifically mentioning areas within Greater Manchester such as Stockport, Oldham, and Tameside.

For the August 28 warning, forecasters anticipate heavy showers and thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon and evening, focusing on northern England and Wales before extending over central and eastern England. These storms could bring 10-20 mm of rain in a short period in some places, with potential for 30-40 mm where repeated downpours occur. Lightning and hail are also expected as additional hazards.

Regarding the extended warning for August 26-27, a broad band of thunderstorms and heavy rain moved north across England and Wales. Accumulations of 20-30 mm in an hour were possible locally, with 30-40 mm expected fairly widely, and up to 50 mm in a 12-hour period in certain areas. There was also a small chance of more than 50 mm in three hours and over 75 mm through 12 hours, along with lightning and large hail.

The Met Office has indicated a 'medium likelihood' and 'low impact' for the latest thunderstorms warning on August 28, though warnings about potential travel disruption and flooding. For the earlier extended warning, more severe impacts were highlighted, including a “small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life,” and a risk of homes and businesses being flooded quickly, with potential damage from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail, or strong winds. Affected areas were advised to expect possible delays and cancellations to train and bus services due to flooding, difficult driving conditions from spray and sudden flooding, road closures, and potential power cuts.

Residents are advised to consider if their location is at risk of flash flooding and to prepare a flood plan and emergency flood kit if necessary. Checking road conditions, bus, and train timetables, and amending travel plans is also recommended. Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington noted the uncertainty around where the heaviest rain would fall, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with the latest forecasts and warnings.

The specific forecast for Manchester during the bank holiday weekend includes showers from 11am to 3pm on August 28 with heavy rain at 1pm, then a mostly dry evening. Saturday, August 29, could see light rain from 10am followed by six hours of downpours from midday. Rain is expected to ease in the evening but continue lightly into Sunday morning. Heavy showers are forecast for Sunday afternoon and into Monday afternoon, with a dry, cloudy evening currently predicted for Bank Holiday Monday, coinciding with the Manchester Village Pride vigil.