UK storms: weather warnings and flights cancelled
Travellers are facing disappointment as flights are cancelled at Heathrow airport after storms are forecast to hit Britain. Flood warnings have also been put in place as heavy rainfall is predicted.
The Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings – the second most serious – in the Midlands and more than 50 less serious flood alerts across the rest of the country.
The Met Office is warning much of England and Wales to be prepared as it forecasts heavy rainfall. Most of Scotland and all of Northern Ireland has been issued a lesser “yellow warning” and told to be aware ahead of the predicted storms.
Thunder and lightning forecast for late Saturday afternoon in London is going to disappoint thousands of holiday makers whose flights are being cancelled. Heathrow has asked all airlines to cancel 20% of their scheduled flights between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday.
The airport says because it operates at full capacity, it doesn’t give pilots time to wait on the runway for a gap in the weather. So in order to avoid planes taking off in thundery weather, the airport needs to build some time into the flight programmes – hence the 20% reduction in flights.
‘Severe weather’
It’s hoped most affected passengers have been given the bad news before they set off for Heathrow. Anyone who isn’t sure if their flight is cancelled is advised to call their airline. People whose flights are cancelled will be booked onto the next available flight, if there are any empty seats.
In a statement, the airport said: “There is severe weather forecast at Heathrow for Saturday 19 July with a 70% risk of thunderstorms, lightning strikes and hail storms. During thunderstorms the number of aircraft that can take off and land each hour is reduced.
“We have therefore requested that airlines reduce their flight schedule by 20% between 16.00 and 18.00 local time [on Saturday]. Passengers due to travel on 19 July are urged to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.”
Manchester Airport also suffered slight headaches on Saturday morning after a thunderstorm caused an electrical surge, affecting baggage systems. The airport says most operations are back up and running, but also warns there are storms expected this afternoon.
General duty manager Gary Brown said: “We’ll wait to see what happens this afternoon when we’re expecting thunder.”
Lightning storms lit up the skies on Friday night after a sweltering day during which temperatures reached 32C.
Gallery: your weather pictures
Zoe Tucker, an art director, took the photo below as storms rolled in during a picnic in Brighton.
Swim, BBQ and a big storm brewing!
A good night out in Brighton with @Adam_Stower pic.twitter.com/ntsBA7xENl
— Zoe tucker (@ZoeTuckerDesign) July 18, 2014
The BBC’s Charlotte Hayward reported that the roof was blown of a house in Chelmsford, in Essex, making the residents homeless.
This house was struck by lightening last night in #Chelmsford. The entire roof has come off. Everyone here v shaken pic.twitter.com/zuhBN2cU7l
— Charlotte Hayward (@CharHayward) July 19, 2014
Another family of four in the same county was also made homeless when their semi-detached bungalow was struck by lightning, Essex Fire and Rescue said.
Other blazes thought to have been caused by lightning strikes were reported at a house near Colchester, as well as one Sittingbourne, in Kent, another in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, and several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford.
Train services from Bath Spa in the Westbury direction have been blocked due to flooding, First Great Western said. And roads in Gloucestershire have become flooded due to heavy downpours, police said.