Weather warning as more storms expected in Mid Sussex

An Amber Severe Weather Warning has been issued, valid from 12.15am-11:45pm on Saturday July 19 and we will see heavy, thundery showers developing as we move into this evening (July 18).

The showers could be torrential at times and accompanied by frequent lightning, large hail and strong gusty winds leading to significant impacts in places.

There could be 10-20mm of rain quite widely overnight with some places seeing 30-40mm.

It is possible that in particularly heavy showers some places could see 50-75mm in 3 hours, 30 mm or more in an hour. There is still some uncertainty about the exact location of the heaviest showers.

When this first area of showers has cleared there will be a dry period with good sunny spells during the morning but as the temperatures rise further heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. These showers are expected to clear during the evening to leave a rather cloudy but dry night.

The impacts of the storms may include surface water flooding, flooding on fast responding urban river catchments.

Power outages due to lightning strikes.

Poor driving conditions.

Disruption to transport and outside events.

Please take extra care when driving and leave plenty of extra time for journeys.