Latest news with #thunderstorm
CBC
28 minutes ago
- Climate
- CBC
North Edmonton residents displaced after lightning ignites house, apartment complex
Some residents in Edmonton's north side are displaced after lightning struck a house and an apartment complex Wednesday afternoon. Around 1 p.m. MT, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to a house fire near 135th Avenue and 113A Street, in the Kensington area. Minutes later, emergency crews also arrived at an apartment building on fire near 82nd Street and 144th Avenue, near the Dickinsfield neighbourhood. Fire investigators determined that lightning caused both fires, which were located just four kilometres away from each other. "This is a bit of an unusual circumstance in that it caused a house fire, but it does show the dangers that can be posed by lightning in general," said Todd Bate, a meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). A thunderstorm had blown in earlier Wednesday, with the national weather agency projecting that it could become severe. Alyssa Ironchild and Dallas Martin, who lived together on the third floor of the apartment building, had concerns about how intense the thunderstorm was getting. Ironchild had taken out her phone to record the storm, capturing what appeared to be lightning striking the roof of her apartment. "As soon as the lightning hit the building, the smoke and everything just immediately filled up all the hallways," she said. "Trying to get out … it was so terrifying. You could not see anything in the building hallways at all, it was just so scary and it was really hard to breathe." Ironchild is thankful for a passerby who, after witnessing the lightning strike, pulled over and helped evacuate some of the residents. "I was trying to go to get my cat and I was just crying. I couldn't find her," she said. "He told me to go out and that he would get her for me, and he did." Bate, of ECCC, said the agency does not currently keep records of house fires started by lightning. But according to its most recent statistics from 2019, on average, lightning kills two to three people per year, and 180 lightning-related injuries are reported annually. Wednesday's thunderstorm didn't meet the criteria to be classified as severe, Bate said, noting that there was no heavy rain, hail, or strong winds. But he added that storms in general can be dangerous, even if they aren't deemed severe. "We'd still say that, when there is a thunderstorm, the best thing to do is to head inside," he said. Bate noted that Alberta could see more severe weather events in the next few years, based on patterns the weather agency is seeing around the globe. Displaced resident still in shock Damages from the apartment fire are estimated to reach up to $500,000, according to the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. As for the house, damages totalled around $30,000 and a dog living there, which did escape the flames, is missing. In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for Mainstreet Equity Corp., the company that operates the apartment, said that all the complex's residents are in a hotel. They did not specify how many people were displaced. Ironchild and Martin, whose apartment suffered fire and water damage, are now shifting their focus to finding a longer-term accommodation. "There's no time frame really on how long this is all going to take," Martin said. "But we did call Mainstreet and they're looking into it, and they're going to try to help us as best as they can." Ironchild said she's still in shock. "I couldn't believe what happened [Wednesday] because you never think that something like that could happen to you," she said. "You see it in movies, right? And then when it happens to you, it's just unreal." Ultimately, though, Ironchild said she's just thankful that everyone made it out alive.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
Yellow thunderstorm warning issued amid heatwave
The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for swathes of England amid rising temperatures. The forecaster is warning that lightning, heavy rain and flooding could occur in the East and West Midlands, the North East and North West, Yorkshire and Wales. The yellow warning is in place from 3pm on Saturday to 4am on Sunday. It comes amid predictions that the UK could break its record for the warmest day of the year for the second day in a row, with temperatures up to 33C forecast. Temperatures reached as high as 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, amid an amber heat health alert for all regions in England. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns that 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with health conditions. Meanwhile, temperatures are forecast to reach the low 30s and could potentially hit 33C on Friday, the Met Office said. By Friday afternoon, a number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria, Dan Stroud, a Met Office forecaster, said. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Mr Stroud said: 'We're expecting the hot and dry conditions to continue. It does turn a little bit hazier in the west during the course of Friday, but we're still expecting temperatures to reach the low 30s – 31C, 32C – fairly widely, maybe seeing 33C.' Increasing amounts of cloud will move in from the west on Saturday, with a chance of showers, some of which could be thundery in north Wales and north-west England, while eastern areas will see another dry and hot day, he added. In what will probably be the peak of the hot spell on Saturday, 34C is possible – still below the June record of 35.6C, set in 1976. Sunday will be another very warm day in the South and East, probably in the late 20s. Elsewhere, however, it will be cooler, with temperatures in the mid 20s, said Mr Stroud. Firefighters have responded to more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales so far this year, and the National Fire Chiefs Council is urging people to take precautions to prevent further incidents. As of Thursday, 564 wildfire incidents had been responded to by English and Welsh fire and rescue services so far this year, a 717 per cent increase on the same period last year and more than double the number seen in 2022, which went on to be the worst year on record for wildfires, said the NFCC.
The Independent
an hour ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Warning issued for thunderstorms in north of England after possible heatwaves
Thunderstorms are threatening to hit large parts of northern England on Saturday, following possible heatwaves around the country. Temperatures could reach up to 34C in isolated areas of England, but rain, hail and lightning could be on their way, a Met Office spokesperson has said. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning has been issued covering Nottingham up to above Newcastle, running from 3pm on Saturday until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned the most intense storms could produce 'frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds', along with a chance of flooding. It comes as a number of areas around the country could reach heatwave thresholds on Friday. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: 'There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. 'Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. 'Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. 'You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded.' Ms Maxey said a number of areas around the country could hit heatwave thresholds on Friday before the storm hits. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. 'We have a number of sites which have reached two days, so we're waiting to see what happens,' she said. 'Today is going to be another warm day, so the possibility is there. 'At the moment, there's one site that has reached three days, and that's in Suffolk.' Temperatures are predicted to peak on the western side of the country on Friday, as a 'more changeable, fresher feel' starts to come in. 'Tomorrow, temperatures may continue to go up a little for the east and south-east area of the country, we might see them creep up to 33C, or even an isolated 34C, but we are going to see that change. 'In the west, tomorrow we should start to see more of this cloud come in, and we have a fresher air mass pushing in across the country.' Temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, amid an amber heat-health alert for all regions in England. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. Following the hot weather, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has urged the public to take heat and water safety seriously. During 2022's heatwave, temperatures rose past 40C, leading to 320 hospitalisations. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: ' Heat is no longer just a holiday perk — it's a growing public health risk. We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. 'Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer.'
CTV News
2 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Dock lines snap aboard cruise ship in Alaska during severe thunderstorm
Watch A Florida couple was on board a cruise ship in Alaska when the mooring lines snapped during a severe thunderstorm, separating the dock from the dock.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Met Office maps show where thunderstorms will hit UK this weekend after heatwave
The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm warning for parts of the UK this weekend amid searing heat. It comes after a number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria on Friday - meaning an area has reached a certain high temperature for three consecutive days. Thresholds vary from 25C to 28C in different parts of the country. And while temperatures are expected to peak on Saturday, with highs of 34C possible in eastern areas, the Met Office has also warned thunderstorms are likely across parts of northern England and Wales on Sunday from 3pm until 4am, issuing a yellow warning. The weather agency has warned spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures, with a "slight chance" of power cuts and a "small chance" of properties being flooded quickly. Public transport could also be delayed where lightning strikes occur. The Met Office provides the following tips for staying safe in a thunderstorm: Flood preparation if your property is at risk: checking flood advice in your area, keeping phones charged, preparing a flood kit, turning off gas, water and electricity supplies Driving precautions: driving slower, using main roads, using dipped headlights, giving yourself more time to react on slippery surfaces, keeping a bigger gap between vehicles Powercut preparation: having battery candles, torches and batteries and a mobile phone power pack ready Protecting your property from damage and other people from injury: staying indoors as much as possible, and securing loose items such as bins, plant pots, garden furniture and trampolines ⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️Thunderstorms across parts of northern England and WalesSaturday 1500 – Sunday 0400Latest info 👉 #WeatherAware⚠️ — Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2025 Read more: How the infamous heatwave of 1976 compares to temperatures these days (Yahoo News UK) Here, Yahoo News UK also breaks down, using Met Office forecasts, what the weather will be like for each region of the UK over the coming days. Saturday Cloud building from the west, with a few isolated showers possible later, but most parts staying dry. Hot again, especially in any sunny spells. Perhaps the odd thunderstorm overnight. Maximum temperature 33C. Sunday to Tuesday Any showers clearing to sunny spells Sunday. Feeling fresher, but still rather warm. Changeable Monday and Tuesday, with sunny spells, but also occasional showers or rain, and temperatures nearer normal. Saturday Very warm and humid with hazy sunshine at times. Showers are possible, locally thundery, but many places not seeing much rain. Coastal mist and low cloud in some western areas. Maximum temperature 28C. Sunday to Tuesday A fresher and breezier spell of weather from Sunday and into next week. Whilst showers are possible at times, prolonged dry periods are likely with warm sunny spells at times. Saturday East Midlands: Cloud building from the west, with a chance of showers, and perhaps heavy thunderstorms developing, most likely across northern parts during the afternoon. Hot again, especially in any sunny spells. Maximum temperature 33C. West Midlands: Very warm and humid with hazy sunny spells during the morning. Scattered thundery showers breaking out, with localised torrential downpours and large hail later, mainly in the north. Becoming hot. Maximum temperature 32C. Sunday to Tuesday East Midlands: Any showers clearing to sunny spells Sunday. Feeling fresher, but still rather warm. Changeable Monday and Tuesday, with sunny spells, but also occasional showers or rain, and temperatures nearer normal. West Midlands: A fresher and breezier spell of weather from Sunday and into next week. Whilst showers are possible at times, prolonged dry periods are likely with warm sunny spells at times. Saturday Cloud building from the west, with a chance of showers or thunderstorms developing, perhaps severe, and most likely through the afternoon. Very warm, or hot again, especially in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 30C. Sunday to Tuesday Turning fresher and breezier Sunday, with sunny spells and occasional showers. Staying changeable Monday and Tuesday, with some sunny spells, further showers or spells of rain, and temperatures nearer normal. Saturday Very warm and humid with hazy sunny spells during the morning. Scattered showers, some thundery, breaking out, with localised torrential downpours and large hail later. Becoming very muggy. Light winds. Maximum temperature 29C. Sunday to Tuesday A fresher and breezier spell of weather from Sunday and into next week. Whilst showers are possible at times, prolonged dry periods are likely with warm sunny spells at times. Saturday Becoming very warm or hot again with some sunny spells. A few sharp showers showers may develop through the day, these possibly heavy and thundery. Maximum temperature 28C. Sunday to Tuesday Sunny spells and a few outbreaks of showery rain on Sunday. Fresher on Monday with scattered showers. Rather cloudy on Tuesday with rain spreading in later. Saturday Feeling fresher than Friday but still rather warm. Cloud will tend to bubble up through the day and bring the risk of a few thunderstorms later. Maximum temperature 23C. Sunday to Tuesday Outbreaks of rain on Sunday, clearing to the east later. Rather cloudy and breezy on Monday with scattered showers. Cloudy with patchy rain and drizzle on Tuesday. Saturday Very warm and humid with bright or sunny spells. Scattered showers breaking out, with thunderstorms possible. Localised torrential downpours and large hail in north Wales later. Many places staying dry. Maximum temperature 26C. Sunday to Tuesday A fresher and breezier spell of weather from Sunday and into next week. Whilst showers are possible at times, prolonged dry periods are likely with warm sunny spells at times.
