Thunderstorm warnings are in place for parts of southwest England and Northern Ireland, with some areas at risk of flooding, lightning strikes and hail.

The Met Office says up to two inches of rain could fall over a few hours in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and in western parts of Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

Two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms are in force until 9pm today.

The warning in Northern Ireland began at 8am, while the one covering much of South West England starts at noon.

Truro, Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton and Dorchester are all affected by the warning in England.

In Northern Ireland, Londonderry/Derry and Armagh are among the areas forecast to be hit by storms.

The Met Office warns “sudden flooding” and lightning strikes could lead to travel disruption with some train and bus services cancelled and road closures.

There is also a chance of power cuts to homes and businesses.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Met Office forecaster Amy Bokotan said: “The downpours could be slow moving, and that’s the main trouble – the wind’s quite light at the moment so when they do form, they could be quite slow moving and intense.”

She added: “Where you see them they could be quite intense and dramatic, but not everywhere’s going to see them and some places just down the road could be completely fine and shower and thunderstorm-free.”

Read more UK news:
Woman killed in dog attack – two XL bullys seized
Infected blood compensation scheme to be revealed

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

It comes ahead of an area of low pressure approaching the UK from the east on Wednesday – which will bring heavy, prolonged rainfall to eastern parts of the country.

Related posts:

South Africa says COP26 could ‘collapse’ over UK quarantine rules for red list countries Why is there a HGV driver shortage and how bad could the problem get? Government U-turn over water firms dumping raw sewage after fierce backlash Schools see ‘very severe low attendance’ ahead of Christmas as Omicron variant spreads UN requests that UK keeps brain-damaged boy Archie Battersbee alive, family says British policing has ‘lost its way’ as public fears officers are too ‘woke’ Calls for Notting Hill Carnival to be moved after sex assaults on police officers Ambulance response times worst on record – and A&E waits hit new high Dickie Bird breaks down as he recalls final words with Parkinson day before presenter died Residents evacuated after several cars set on fire Nearly 4,800 ‘festive filers’ submitted their tax return on Christmas Day UN agency chief ‘shocked’ as nine countries pause funding over claims staff involved in Hamas attack