HEAVY rain and thunderstorms are set to hit Dorset as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning.

Dorset and the wider South West has experienced warm temperatures in recent days and weeks, as day trippers and locals try to make the most of the summer sunshine.

But the high temperatures are set to come to a halt with heavy rain and the possibility of thunderstorms tomorrow.

The Met Office has issued a 10-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 11am until 9pm on Wednesday (September 8).

The weather alert states it will be ‘mainly dry for many areas’ on Wednesday but the weather forecasters warned there ‘is a chance of heavy rain and lightning bringing some disruption.’

Dorset Echo: The Met Office has issued a 10-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 11am until 9pm on Wednesday (September 8).The Met Office has issued a 10-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 11am until 9pm on Wednesday (September 8).

A Met Office spokesman said there is a change of 'heavy and thundery downpours developing' in some areas of the South West.

The yellow weather warning covers a large section of Dorset and big areas including Bridport, Beaminster, Lyme Regis, Sherborne, Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “An area of showers will move northwards across southwest England and south Wales on Wednesday.

“Whilst many areas will see little rainfall there is the chance of some heavy and thundery downpours developing, particularly late in the afternoon.

“Where these occur 30-50 mm of rain could fall in less than three hours though only a few spots would likely see these totals.

“Lightning may also be a hazard during the day.”

What to expect from weather warning according to Met Office

Dorset Echo: Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms

• There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes or perhaps hail

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

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

• There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads

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