UK weather: Met Office storm alerts issued - with flooding, lightning and large hail to hit country

Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for large parts of England and Wales over the next two days - bringing the threat of frequent lightning and large hail.

The first Met Office warning, which is in effect from 12pm until 8pm on Friday, stretches from the West Midlands to the South East and includes the South West. It also covers a large part of Wales, including Cardiff and Swansea.

The weather agency says lightning strikes during the storms will probably cause damage to buildings.

And with the possibility of up to 40mm (1.5in) of rain in three hours, it said driving may be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail. Power cuts are also likely, it added, with delays to trains possible.

"A few thundery showers may be present across southern and southeast England early on Friday, but from the middle of the day they are expected to develop more widely within the warning area," the Met Office said.

"Whilst some places will remain dry, where thundery showers do occur, they will bring frequent lightning, gusty winds, potentially some large hail, as well as brief spells of heavy rain."

It added that there was "a very small chance of 30-40mm falling in three hours" across South West England.

Saturday's warning is in place for 23 hours, from 1am until midnight, and applies to an even larger area - covering the whole of Wales, and stretching as far as Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Leicester and all of Cornwall.

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The Met Office says thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to cause disruption.

"Hail and frequent lightning may accompany the most intense storms, especially during Saturday afternoon and evening in parts of the Midlands, southern England and east Wales," the Met Office said.

Officials say there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded rapidly, with fast flowing or deep floodwater causing "danger to life".

They also warned there was a small chance some communities become cut off by flooded roads, with possible power cuts and cancellations to train and bus services.

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