Met Office issues urgent thunderstorm warning as 'lightning strikes could damage buildings'

Flooding, power cuts and buildings could be damaged from lightning strikes

The Met Office has issued a new weather warning for thunderstorms which covers much of the South West. The forecasters have warned of a torrential rain and thunderstorms later today, Monday, October 7.

Exeter-based forecasters at the Met Office have warned of disruption from 4pm until 11.59pm today. Wide spread disruption is expected during the evening, with some coastal areas facing strong wind and hail.

There is likely going to be travel disruption as Devon is hit with heavy downpours. Driving conditions are thought to be dangerous due to spray and possible flooding.

Some properties near the coast may also be hit with lightning strikes, hail and strong wind. A number of places will face up to 30mm of rain in just three hours, with some areas seeing up to 40mm.

The Met Office has said that thunderstorms are most likely for south-facing coastal districts, and hail and some strong gusts of wind could accompany the heaviest showers and thunderstorms.

The Met Office's impact matrix guide predicts that this evening's thunderstorms are highly likely but have a medium impact. The warning covers much of the South West, and South Wales over to the South East.

Locals are being warned to brace themselves for:

• There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus
• Some flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible
• Some short term loss of power and other services is possible
• Delays to train services are possible
• Perhaps damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes, hail or gusty winds, this most likely close to coasts.

South Devon and Plymouth will be worst hit, with over 32mm of rain in an hour expected at 5.30pm. North Devon is expected to be hit with the worst of the rain and thunderstorms around 7.45pm this evening.

As the band of weather moves north, Exeter and mid-Devon will be hit with the heaviest rain at 9.15pm. From 10pm bands of rain will continue to move across the region, easing into tomorrow morning.