Met Office issues yellow warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain across the UK

Met Office yellow warnings will remain in force for most of Thursday as downpours and thunderstorms move northwards across the UK.

Southern England was first to see the rain overnight, with a yellow warning continuing until 08:00 BST in the south-east.

A wider warning area covers all of Wales and large swathes of England and lasts until 22:00, with downpours bringing the risk of localised flash flooding and travel disruption.

The wettest areas could potentially see 75mm (3in) of rain, accompanied by large hail, lightning and gusty winds.

It will also feel rather humid for many.

Spells of rain are set to continue over the weekend - a bank holiday for England, Wales and Northern Ireland - accompanied by windy conditions in the south.

Thursday morning is getting off to a wet start in southern England and south Wales.

According to the Met Office, Herstmonceux in East Sussex recorded 21.4mm (0.8in) of rain in six hours overnight.

The downpours, accompanied by lightning, hail and squally winds, will move north across Wales, the Midlands and parts of eastern England, arriving in northern England by the early afternoon.

As this initial line of downpours clears northwards the skies will brighten and sunny spells will develop, but further scattered showers that could again be very heavy and thundery are possible.

Some rain is likely to arrive in Northern Ireland and Scotland later in the day, although these northern areas of the UK are likely to avoid the very wettest weather.

Within the Met Office yellow warning area, 20-30mm (0.8-1.2in) of rain could fall in just a few hours, with up to 50mm (2in) over a 12-hour period.

Hills exposed to the easterly wind could possibly see 75mm (3in).

Hazardous driving conditions are expected with a chance that roads will be closed and communities cut off.

Lightning strikes could lead to power cuts, and hailstones of 1-2cm (0.4-0.8in) are also possible.

The wet weather will be welcome news for the large areas of England and Wales that remain in drought, however there is the increased risk of flash flooding where the ground is very dry and hard.

Not enough rain will fall to alleviate the recent dry spell, with experts warning that months of persistent wet weather is needed to replenish water supplies.