FLASH POINT
UK hit by FOUR HUNDRED lightning strikes in just a day as cluster of thunderstorms & heavy rain lash nation
The heavy rainfall caused some flooding
THE country has been hit by around 400 lightning strikes in just a day.
Heavy rain, hail and thunder thrashed southern England and the East Midlands on Saturday.
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The heavy rainfall caused some flooding with one warning in place on Sunday.
Flood alerts from the Environment Agency remain in place for 22 parts of the country including north Hampshire, Salisbury and Hertfordshire.
National Highways said parts of the M18 in Yorkshire were closed on Saturday.
Parts of the M40 near Warwick also remained closed on Sunday.
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Ellie Glaisyer, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "There were a few thunderstorms across the London and Buckinghamshire area, and then a few more across the eastern Midlands into southern parts of Lincolnshire.
"In terms of rainfall totals, mostly seeing sort of 10 to 15 millimetres, and anywhere between sort of 20 minutes and an hour.
"In terms of lightning strikes, there were around 300 to 400 lightning strikes total throughout the whole day yesterday."
This comes after the UK saw its warmest spring equinox day since 1972 on Thursday as temperatures reached 21°C in parts of the country.
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Ms Glaisyer added: "It was a lot to do with surface-based convection, with the sun being strong enough to heat up the ground, which allowed the air to rise, which then allowed the thunderstorms to form.
"Temperatures were high enough that that allowed for some showers and thunderstorms to bubble up.
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"Seeing temperatures around sort of 18°C in March isn't completely uncommon.
"Obviously, it's more common now than it was, say, 50 to 100 years ago, but with a warming climate that is what we would expect."
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Low cloud lifting and breaking to allow some brighter spells. Outbreaks of rain in the north gradually easing.
But showers developing across southern regions, some heavy and perhaps thundery.
Rather warm in the south, cooler in the breeze further north.
Tonight:
Showers in the south easing through the evening and gradually dying out overnight, but with low cloud reforming.
Clear spells in the north allowing frost and isolated fog patches.
Monday:
Low cloud slowly clearing across England and Wales to leave a mainly fine day.
Sunny start further north, but outbreaks of rain reaching western Scotland and Northern Ireland by mid-afternoon.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Breezy in the north with further spells of rain possible, though mostly light. Southern regions managing to stay mainly dry.
Near-average temperatures and feeling pleasant in any sunny spells.
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