Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warning for Suffolk

The Met Office alert will be in force from 3am until 10pm on Wednesday, August 26, and from 6am until 10pm on Thursday, August 27.

Forecasters warn of a small risk of flooding and disruption, with the potential for sudden downpours, lightning, and hail.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes or hail.

"Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.

"Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

"There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost."

A band of heavy showers and thunderstorms is expected to move northwards across the region during the morning.

Although a drier spell may follow, further thunderstorms could develop in the afternoon.

While many areas may avoid the worst of the weather, any storms that do develop could be severe.

The Met Office warns that up to 30mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, with 40-50mm possible in two to three hours in isolated spots.

This could result in surface water flooding and travel disruption.

Large hail and frequent lightning are also possible, posing additional hazards.

The showers and storms are expected to drift north and gradually ease during the evening.

The warning comes amid broader concerns about unsettled weather patterns driven by an unprecedented El Niño event.

The Met Office has warned that this event could lead to a "very wet and stormy autumn" for Suffolk.