Manchester weather: Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warning – what time to expect them

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms in Manchester for the start of this week as temperatures return closer to normal in the region.

Another heatwave hit last week leaving many Mancunians desperate for some relieving rainfall, and now it’s set to arrive in abundance with thunder and lightning.

This finally brings an end to the drought the north west has experienced but it could bring disruption as heavy downpours can easily cause flooding when the ground is as dry as it currently is.

Here’s everything you need to know about the yellow warning, including when thunderstorms are forecast to hit Manchester, and what the weather looks like for the week ahead.

What does a yellow warning for thunderstorms mean?

A yellow warning for thunderstorms is issued by the Met Office when rain, thunder and lightning are forecast. With thunderstorms, disruption usually comes from torrential rain downpours, strong winds and lightning strikes.

Here’s what the Met Office says you can expect from thunderstorms hitting Manchester this week:

• Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• 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
• Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
• There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost

When will there be thunderstorms in Manchester?

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms which starts on Monday 15 August at 10am and ends on Tuesday 16 August at 11.59pm.

Throughout this period any thundery downpours will be very hit or miss, but the likeliest time for them to hit Manchester is between 11am and 1pm on Tuesday 16 August, with a 60% chance at 1pm.

What is the weather forecast in Manchester this week?

After the heatwave last week which saw the mercury hit above 30ºC, Mancunians can expect much lower temperatures in and around the low twenties for the days ahead.

Here is what the Met Office is forecasting for the next five days in Manchester:

• Monday 15 August: Cloudy, chance of showers (23ºC/17ºC)
• Tuesday 16 August: Thunderstorms, sunny spells (21ºC/14ºC)
• Wednesday 17 August: Cloudy (20ºC/12ºC)
• Thursday 18 August: Cloudy (22ºC/16ºC)
• Friday 19 August: Sunny spells (19ºC/13ºC)