Thunderstorm risk rises

Heavy downpours expected in Devon

Exeter's Met Office has upgrade the thunderstorm alert for much of the country, including parts of the south west.

The warning was raised to amber for Wednesday evening, including for parts of Somerset. Although Devon has been under a yellow warning for several days and will be through Thursday 13 August, most heavy downpours missed the county. But it's unlikely to stay completely dry in many places in Devon until Monday.

The Met Office says amber alert means:

• There is a chance that fast flowing/deep water could suddenly occur, bringing a danger to life and extensive flooding of homes and businesses
• Damage to buildings/structures from lightning strikes, hail, strong winds may occur
• If flooding occurs, road closures with long delays and cancellations to bus and rail services are possible
• Rapidly changing, dangerous driving conditions from spray, sudden flooding, standing water and/or hail might occur
• Power and other essential services, such as gas, water, mobile phone service could be lost
• Communities might be completely cut off, perhaps for several days

Whilst temperatures will remain high, including at night, the skies could darken at any time, with a sudden downpour. Hot, but unsettled, is the key message.