THUNDERSTORMS and heavy rain could be about to hit much of Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset in the coming hours.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the counties, as it forecast downpours and thunder.

It said the south east was set to be impacted first, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“Elsewhere, an area of showery rain is likely to develop and move north-eastwards across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England,” it said.

“This will be heavy and perhaps thundery at times, persisting through Thursday morning before easing towards midday.

“Some areas could receive rain accumulations of 25-50 mm over the course of a few hours.”

The south, including Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset could be most affected through Thursday afternoon and evening, with the weather warning in place all day.

“Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are then expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening across parts of central, southern and eastern England, and perhaps also south Wales,” the Met Office added.

“These have the potential to produce 50mm or more in 1-2 hours, along with gusty winds, large hail, and the risk of surface water flooding.”

Somerset Council has warned people to “be prepared for traffic disruption due to significant surface water”.