Thunderstorm warnings issued with risk of flooding

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms for Kent, Surrey and West Sussex on Wednesday in place from 03:00 until 22:00 BST.

The weather service said there may be disruption from thunderstorms and surface water flooding which could affect homes, businesses and transport.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Many places will miss these, but where they do occur they may be intense leading to some surface water flooding."

They also warned of large hail and frequent lightning, with storms easing and moving northwards in the evening.

BBC meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker said: "The first band of heavy showers may reach the south-east coast of England around midnight {on Wednesday], and then cross Greater London before moving northwards into the home counties and East Anglia.

"Though not all locations in the warning area will experience thunderstorms, flooding is possible in those that do, with 20-30mm of rain possible in less than an hour," he said.

"The hardest hit locations could see up to 40-50mm in two to three hours."

Disruption to transport from the floods and lightning may also be possible, potentially causing difficult driving conditions and isolated power cuts.

"Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary," the Met Office says.

"If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter, such as a car."

They said not to shelter under or near trees, or other structures due to the risk of being struck by lightning.

"Thunderstorms are notoriously difficult to predict because they can develop very quickly and on a relatively small scale," Schafernaker says.

"Even a few kilometres can make the difference between a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning, and somewhere staying completely dry."

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