Met office warns of ‘risk to life’ as storms hit UK

Forecasters say there is a risk to life today with severe thunderstorms once again set to batter parts of the UK.

People have been told to expect storms, torrential rain, lightning, strong winds and hail.

The Met Office has issued warnings for London and the South East, South West, Wales and the West Midlands. Railway companies say commuters could expect services to be hampered.

Afternoon storms may merge to become one “large and persistent thunderstorm”, says the Met Office, with up to 3in (80mm) of rain falling within hours, affecting some homes and businesses with severe flooding.