“Monsoon rains, apocalyptic lightning and pitch black clouds” as Thunderstorms batter Britain
Hail stones the size of golf balls fell from pitch black clouds amid a huge thunderstorm that tore across Britain.
Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said the UK heatwave was “coming to an end.”
He warned: “Large hail and strong, gusty winds are likely and combined could lead to difficult driving conditions as a result of spray and sudden flooding.”
Golf ball sized hail with malevolent spikes were reported falling in York, UK.
Actual hail stones this size in york ……🌪⚡️😬 pic.twitter.com/aC6st5Fisg
— Amy Lennox (@misslenn) July 27, 2018
WOW…@DrNathJones reports hail in York, U.K. a while ago this evening, hail of 6cm diameter around the York area… thanks for reporting..#Severeweather #extremeweather pic.twitter.com/23kmKg0Yfs
— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) July 27, 2018
The storm ripped through suddenly, turning blue skies and 35C temperatures to monsoon conditions in just a matter of minutes.
Mental rain thunder and hail stones in Haxby! #york @BBCLookNorth pic.twitter.com/AnXK803vBf
— Alexandra Lee (@AlexandraLee92) July 27, 2018
#Ukrain #Yorkshire #Yorkshireis In the eye of the storm pic.twitter.com/bRvbX7tiEH
— Lucy Dodd (@lucydodd9) July 27, 2018
The Met Office have recently upgraded their warning to Amber, saying tonight’s thunderstorms now pose a “danger to life.”
What the Warning means
- Flooding of homes and businesses is likely and could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds
- Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life
- Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
- Spray and sudden flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Power cuts likely to occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
- Some communities may become cut off if roads flood
Residents have reported seeing “monsoon rains, apocalyptic lightning and pitch black clouds”.
Omg @BBCWorld @bbcnewcastle @CramStudiosNEWS #Stormzy @Stormzy #Weather #uk #cronicle @eveningcronicle @TheSun @thestarpaper @lightning pic.twitter.com/FD5WqrooWu
— Kevin Cooper (@CoopsyDawg) July 27, 2018
Amazing storm in Newcastle ⚡️⚡️⛈#LightningStrikes #Ukrain pic.twitter.com/INJj8al184
— Katharine (@katsmithers2) July 27, 2018
look at the lightening in the uk right now ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/9DsZF96GoI
— tasha (@louvinglyharry) July 27, 2018
The UK weather chaos has sparked long delays for holidaymakers, with planes being grounded at London’s airports due to the storms.
Forecasters said the warning would remain in place until 2am on Sunday, sparking fears that more flights could be cancelled this weekend.
British Airways tweeted: “Our schedule has been disrupted due to thunderstorms and inclement weather around Heathrow and Europe.”
Londoners were also caught up in the storm and drenched from head to toe due by a monsoon that battered the Capital this afternoon.
Welcome, UK, to the Grand Solar Minimum.
