Severe weather warning for Devon

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning from tonight with lightning, hail and even possible tornadoes.

Heavy, thundery downpours are expected to develop later this evening across southern England. These are likely to be isolated initially but become more widespread overnight with the risk of some locally large rainfall totals giving rise to surface water flooding. Lightning, hail and gusty wind may also be added hazards.

A spokesman said: "Not everywhere within the warning area will see thunderstorms, and indeed some spells of warm sunshine are expected at times, but where thunderstorms do form, some torrential downpours are likely with frequent lightning, large hail and locally strong gusts. Significant flooding is possible where these do occur from surface water as well as from small, fast-responding watercourses."

The public should be aware of the potential for localised disruption.

The Highways Agency advise road users to take extra care when driving.

The five day forescast is as follows:

Today:

A cloudy start for many, with some hill or coastal fog possible. This will lift and break through the morning, leaving a generally fine and dry day, with sunny spells. Feeling warm and humid, although cooler where any cloud lingers. Maximum Temperature 26C.

Tonight:

Thundery showers will spread northwards through the night, bringing isolated torrential downpours, hail and frequent lightning to places. Staying warm and humid, especially in the east. Minimum Temperature 15C.

Saturday:

Thundery showers, with localised torrential downpours and hail are likely at times. However there will also be drier and brighter intervals. Remaining humid and warm. Maximum Temperature 26C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Warm, with further showers possible Sunday and Monday, but these will gradually become less frequent and less intense than recently. Increasingly cloudy Tuesday, but staying mostly dry.