Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across New Forest and Christchurch

THUNDERSTORMS with up to 40mm of rain are expected across the New Forest and Christchurch today (Wednesday).

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning which runs until 7pm.

As a result, spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

The organisation is warning there is a “slight chance” that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.

It adds some cancellations could be made to train and bus services in the event of flooding or lightning strikes.

While many places will remain dry, scattered showers are expected throughout the day. Some areas could see hail and thunder with up to 40mm of rain.

Motorists are advised to consider road conditions before heading out on a journey and commuters should check timetables and amend travel plans if necessary.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter, such as a car.

“Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area, move to lower ground.”

A new Met Office study has found climate change has influenced how much rain falls during autumn and winter storms.

Human-induced climate change made the heavy storm downpours and total rainfall across the UK and Ireland between October 2023 and March 2024 more frequent and intense, according to analysis by an international team of leading climate scientists.

Scientists found that rainfall associated with storms is becoming both more intense and more likely. In a pre-industrial climate, rainfall from storms as intense as the 2023-24 season had an estimated return period of 1 in 50 years.

However, in today’s climate, with 1.2°C of global warming, similarly intense storm rainfall is expected to occur more often, about once every five years. Climate change has also increased the amount of rainfall from these storms, making them about 20% more intense.

Met Office science manager of climate attribution, Mark McCarthy, said: “The seemingly never-ending rainfall this autumn and winter across the UK and Ireland had notable impacts across the two countries.

“This new study shows how rainfall associated with storms and seasonal rainfall through autumn and winter have increased, in part due to human induced climate change.

“In the future we can expect further increases in frequency of wet autumns and winters. That’s why it is so important for us to adapt to our changing climate and become more resilient to increases in rainfall.”