Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm alert and warns 'lightning could strike buildings'

The eight-hour alert has been issued as some parts were expected to see 20 to 30mm of rain fall within a couple of hours

A thunderstorm warning has been issued by The Met Office as the UK looks set to be battered by "heavy" downpours and "strong" winds. The eight-hour alert has been issued as some parts were expected to see 20 to 30mm of rain fall within a couple of hours.

The agency predicts the southern coast of England and Wales will be the worst hit, with the wet weather beginning late this afternoon and lasting well into the night, the Mirror reports. The yellow weather warning, which runs from 4pm to 11.5pm, stated: "Areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms will move northwards across southern parts of England and Wales later Monday, clearing northwards overnight.

"Some places will see 20 to 30mm of rain within two to three hours, with a small chance that a few places could receive 40mm. Thunderstorms are most likely for south-facing coastal districts, and hail and some strong gusts of wind could accompany the heaviest showers and thunderstorms."

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The weather warning also brings with it a range of potential risks, with the rain likely to cause chaos during this evening's rush hour. There was a "good chance" that motorists would be "affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus", the Met Office said.

There was also a risk of trains being affected, with flooding of homes and businesses and potential short-term loss of power also not ruled out. It was thought hail and gusty winds could potentially cause damage "to a few buildings", with lightning strikes raining down on people living in storm-hit areas on the coast.