"Met Office Unveils Thunderstorm Warning for 64 Areas Tonight as Brits Prepare for a Bank Holiday Deluge!"

A MET Office map has revealed 64 locations across the UK covered by a new yellow thunderstorm warning tonight.

Large swathes of the country are covered by the warning, which came into force at midday and will expire at 9pm.

The said the flooding of and businesses was probable, trains could be delayed and car journeys could take longer.

The thunderstorm warning covers 64 locations across England and Wales as wet and windy conditions continue after yet another ended.

It affects most of Wales, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, South West England, North West England, North East England, London, South East England, East of England and the East Midlands.

The Met Office says strikes may damage buildings or structures and a short-term loss of power and other services is possible.

The forecaster said thunderstorms would bring 10-20mm of rain in a short period in a few places, with the potential for 30-40mm where there are repeated downpours.

There could also be delays to train services, and car and bus journeys may take longer.

Trains could be delayed and that driving conditions could be affected by spray, standing water or hail.

Hazardous driving conditions are expected with a chance that roads will be closed and communities cut off.

The Met Office said: “While many areas will miss the heaviest downpours, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during Friday afternoon and evening.

“The focus of showers and thunderstorms will be over northern England and much of Wales during the early afternoon before extending over central and eastern England through the afternoon.

“Thunderstorms will bring 10-20mm of rain in a short period in a few places with 30-40mm possible should anywhere see repeated downpours.

“Lightning and hail will be additional hazards in a few locations. Heavy showers and thunderstorms will gradually ease during Friday evening.”

Meanwhile, 12 areas in the West and East Midlands are covered by Environment Agency flood alerts.

And Brits are set to see even more thunder and rain over the bank holiday weekend.

The worst of the wet will hit the North West, Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland on Sunday.

Heavy downpours and potential gales are forecast over the long weekend, with the Met Office urging festivalgoers to prepare for windy conditions.

The forecaster has urged those heading to Reading and Leeds, Creamfields and other live music events of unseasonably strong winds.

Gusts of up to 35mph are possible on the south coast on Saturday amid an ongoing risk of thunderstorms in parts of England and Wales.

Downpours are set to move east through England and on Saturday with “heavy, possibly thundery showers” in the south.

Sunday is said to bring sunshine and showers before thunder and downpours moving east later in the day.

Flood warnings have been issued for Smestow Brook at Hinksford, , and Tanyard Stream at Kenilworth, , while alerts are in place mainly around the Midlands and areas north of .