A YELLOW thunderstorm warning has been issued across several regions in England and Wales tonight.
The warning is in effect from 3pm to 10pm, with the Met Office forecasting 30mm of rain in under an hour.
Forecasters expect the areas to be hit with lightning, hail and gusty winds.
Households are being warned to brace themselves for potential disruption to travel and power supplies.
The warning covers London and South East England, including Hampshire.
It also covers towns and cities across South West England, Wales and the West Midlands, with Herfefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire all affected.
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The warning comes as hot weather persists, with temperatures potentially reaching 36C in southern England and Wales, following a record-breaking spring temperature of 34.8C.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “While many places will miss the worst conditions, where thunderstorms do occur they bring the potential for torrential downpours of rain, frequent lightning, large hail and strong, gusty winds.”
All the locations hit by thunderstorm warning tonight
London & South East England
– Hampshire
South West England
– Bath and North East Somerset
– Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
– Bristol
– Cornwall
– Devon
– Dorset
– Gloucestershire
– North Somerset
– Plymouth
– Somerset
– South Gloucestershire
– Torbay
– Wiltshire
Wales
– Blaenau Gwent
– Bridgend
– Caerphilly
– Cardiff
– Carmarthenshire
– Ceredigion
– Conwy
– Denbighshire
– Gwynedd
– Isle of Anglesey
– Merthyr Tydfil
– Monmouthshire
– Neath Port Talbot
– Newport
– Pembrokeshire
– Powys
– Rhondda Cynon Taf
– Swansea
– Torfaen
– Vale of Glamorgan
– Wrexham
West Midlands
– Herefordshire
– Shropshire
– Worcestershire
They added: “If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car).
“Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning.
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“If you are on an elevated area, move to lower ground.
“Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”