The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of the country as Greater Manchester could be hit with a thunderstorm today (Tuesday, 18 June).
So much for summer getting started.
It looked like Manchester was finally being treated to some patches of sun as we approach the warmer months but it now looks as though the forecast is set to snap back into local normality with the risk of thunderstorms hitting the country this week.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued not just in our area but across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, parts of the East Midlands and various other regions across the UK.
— Met Office – NW England (@metofficeNWEng) June 18, 2024
The warning has been officially set to last from 11am this morning until 9pm this evening across Greater Manchester, with Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and the city centre all likely to be affected.
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As stated on the Met Office website, the conditions are expected to cause disruption to public transport and travel in general, stating that “there is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus”.
“Short-term loss of power and other services is possible”, as well as “some flooding of a few homes and businesses”, along with the chance of falling debris and damage to buildings/structures.
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Delays to train and bus services are also possible.
Thunderstorms are expected to hit Manchester today. (Credit: Met Office)
The meteorologists went on to explain that “slow-moving thunderstorms and heavy showers may cause some disruption to travel and outdoor activities”, with the heaviest period of rainfall expected from around noon for most areas.
Here in Greater Manchester, however, it is thought that the most significant downpour will take place around 7pm. Meanwhile, heat-wise, they forecast that things are expected to stay “generally cool but feeling warm in any sunshine”, only reaching a top temperature of around 15C.
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We hope you brought your anorak to work today.
That being said, the weather is said to improve from Wednesday onwards, with highs of around 21C predicted for Thursday and Friday.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Danny Jones -
18th June 2024 
