Brits urged to 'unplug electronics' during storms as 'Spanish plume' threat grows

As the mercury creeps upwards across the country, the Met Office has issued a warning to Brits about the threat of more severe weather.

With warmer weather in Britain as summer approaches, the likelihood of extreme events including thunderstorms increases, so the experts have warned of risks and how to keep safe.

While dramatic weather events can be “incredible to watch” according to the weather experts, they also bring a “range of hazards”, including lightning strikes, flash floods, power outages and travel disruption.

Climate change could increase the frequency of extreme weather, as the Met Office says the UK is expected to experience “warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers” in future.

One particular risk is that of more common “Spanish plume” events, a term given to hot air from the Iberian Peninsula moves north towards the UK, creating “unstable conditions that can lead to intense summer thunderstorms with heavy downpours and lightning”.

Importantly, the experts warn the UK may not see more thunderstorms overall but those which do hit may be more intense.

Given the rising intensity of these events, the Met Office issued advice to those caught in them to keep safe.

Before a storm hits, it is recommended to check the weather forecast and stay informed by keeping up to date with warnings and updates from authorities.

It is also advised to “unplug non-essential electronics” to protect them from power surges, and secure outdoor items such as garden furniture and bins which could be blown away in high winds.

During a storm, the Met Office recommends seeking shelter indoors or “in a car with a metal roof”, while avoiding the use of plumbing, landline phones or touching metal objects.

If you can hear thunder, you are “already within range of a lightning strike”, so if caught outside without shelter, it is important to crouch low with your feet together and hands over your ears.

However, it is not advised to lie flat on the ground in this situation.

After the storm, be wary of any downed power lines and report any you become aware of to authorities, while checking your property for damage and avoiding any damaged wiring.

Driving during a storm is not advised if it is not essential, as it can be treacherous due to reduced visibility, standing water and sudden gusts of wind.

If it is essential to drive, the Met Office advises doing so slowly, using dipped headlights to improve visibility and avoiding flooded roads.

While the UK does not experience as many or as intense thunderstorms as some parts of the world, they are not uncommon, with the country seeing around 200,000 to 300,000 lightning strikes each year.