Met Office latest as ‘risk of thunderstorms’ forecast for parts of Wales

Parts of Wales could be hit by thunderstorms on Saturday, forecasters have warned. It comes a day after homes were flooded after a storm brought a month’s worth of rain in just three hours to the Gwynedd town of Criccieth.

Firefighters had to be called in to divert water in the town as drains were blocked and roads closed and police urged people to steer clear of the area. Cafe owner Michelle Jones told BBC Radio Wales: “There is a manhole cover by the railway station which was overflowing and running down the street. We have had hail, thunderstorms and a bit of lightning. I have never seen it so bad.”

The Met Office is forecasting more thundery showers on Saturday, with a weather warning in places for parts of the south of England up to 10am on Saturday. It comes as people across Wales prepare to hold street parties for the Platinum Jubilee and Wills and Kate prepare to visit Cardiff. You can follow live updates on that here.

The warning area:

The warning misses Wales but the full forecast for here on Saturday says: “Quite a cloudy start with a risk of heavy and possibly thundery showers. Brighter and generally drier in the afternoon, but feeling muggy in any sunny spells with a continued risk of showers. Maximum temperature 19 °C.”

Overnight it says: “Probably a cloudy and wet to start with persistent spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places, though there is a chance of some afternoon sunshine in the west. Minimum temperature 6 °C.”

Not good news for the many Jubilee parties that are due to be held today in Wales, and for the open air concert in Cardiff Castle to celebrate the Jubilee. Stay informed on the latest weather warnings by subscribing to the WalesOnline newsletter

The Celebration Concert will feature the likes of Aled Jones, Mike Peters, Bonnie Tyler and John Owen-Jones. The event, which will kick off at 3pm, will also see drumming weatherman Owain Wyn Evans take to the stage alongside funnyman Mike Doyle, the Pendyrus Male Voice Choir and the Welsh Pops Orchestra. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to be involved. Find out everything you need to know about the concert here.

And the outlook is not much better for Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting more thunderstorms. The full forecast for Wales says: “Probably a cloudy and wet to start with persistent spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places, though there is a chance of some afternoon sunshine in the southwest. Maximum temperature 17 °C.”

Forecasting for Wales’ crunch game against Ukraine on Sunday night, Welsh weather forecaster Derek Brockway says: “ Expect some rain with a high of 16C. The wind falling light.”