Manchester is set for big thunderstorms this week: Here’s this week’s forecast
Torrential downpours, high winds, and hail showers are all being tipped to take place over the course of the next few days, with the Met Office issuing a Yellow weather warning for the whole region.
We’ve had some scorching sunshine over the past few days in Manchester. But now, we need to brace ourselves for a whole other kind of extreme weather: Thunderstorms.
Torrential downpours, high winds, and hail showers are all being tipped to take place over the course of the next few days, with the Met Office issuing a Yellow weather warning for the whole region.
Yellow warnings are often issued when the weather could potentially bring “severe impacts” to communities, but the “certainty of those impacts occurring is much lower” than with an Amber or Red alert.
Here’s what the Met Office is predicting so far.
Be sure to keep a close eye on their website as changes in forecasts could occur throughout the week.
The Met Office is saying that thunderstorms will begin brewing this afternoon from 4pm, with “a risk of hail, torrential downpours and frequent lightning.”
The current forecast for the region is “heavy showers with torrential downpours and a risk of thunder continuing through the evening.”
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Showers are expected to ease overnight.
Tuesday
Tuesday is set to be a “very hot day” according to the latest Met Office forecast, with temperatures reaching a scorching 29 degrees by the afternoon.
Thunder and showers are, however, predicted for evening – with the clouds set to open from 6pm.
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Storms may last – on and off – right through the night.
“A risk of thunderstorms with some heavy downpours possible,” is being forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, with the trickier weather being “interspersed with drier, sunnier spells.”
There could be rain on Wednesday morning during the morning commute form 7am – 10am, whilst the weather is expected to slowly improve throughout the subsequent 24 hours.
Accompanying the Yellow weather warning for the early part of this week, the Met Office comments: “There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes and large hail.”
The website also warns of potential delays and cancellations to public transport, with spray and sudden flooding creating difficult driving conditions and “increased chance of accidents.”
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It adds: “There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
“There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.”
News
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
News
Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
The Manc -
10th August 2020 
