Met Office issues warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain

The Met Office issues a yellow weather warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms which will hit the UK for 8 hours.

The forecaster has said the alert comes into effect from 12 pm on Friday until 8pm on Friday evening.

There will be “disruption” for Wales, West Midlands, South West England, London and the South East England and the East of England.

The Met Office said, “A few thundery showers may be present across southern and southeast England early on Friday, but from the middle of the day they are expected to develop more widely within the warning area.

“Whilst some places will remain dry, where thundery showers do occur, they will bring frequent lightning, gusty winds, potentially some large hail, as well as brief spells of heavy rain.

“15-25 mm of rain fall may fall within an hour, with a very small chance of 30-40 mm falling in 3 hours; the latter most likely across southwest England. Showers will tend to ease and fade during Friday evening.”