Met Office issues thunderstorm warning for Christchurch and New Forest

THUNDERSTORMS are forecast to hit Christchurch and parts of the New Forest later today (Monday) and tomorrow, the Met Office has said.

The yellow warning raised the possibility of difficult driving conditions and transport delays, flooding, power cuts, and damage to buildings from lightning and strong winds.

The alert between 2pm and 2am was for an area encompassing south-west England - including Christchurch and the western side of the New Forest - and parts of Wales and the Midlands.

The Met Office said: "Thunderstorms are likely to cause disruption in some places during Monday afternoon and night."

The detailed forecast went on: "Thunderstorms are likely to develop across parts of south-west England and Wales during Monday afternoon and become more organised through the evening.

"Lines of thunderstorms are expected to then move north during the early hours of Tuesday and gradually weaken as they clear into northern England before dawn.

"Whilst some places will see little or no rainfall, a few locations may see torrential rain with 20-30mm falling in one hour and 50-80mm in three hours."

It added: "Additional hazards accompanying stronger thunderstorms include frequent lightning, hail and gusty winds, particularly during the evening period."