Less than 24 hours after issuing their first weather warning for thunderstorms, the Met Office has updated the details as flooding is now a distinct possibility.

The storms are expected to arrive in Somerset from around 2pm onwards and Somerset Live is bringing live updates of its progress.

With heavy rain promised, the dangers of surface water could hamper motorists through the afternoon and into the evening.

The weather warning for storms has been widened
The weather warning for storms has been widened

A statement on the Met Office's website reads: "Heavy showers and thunderstorms affecting parts of South West England during Sunday morning will become more widespread, spreading into South Wales and further east across southern England in the afternoon.

"30 to 40 mm of rain in an hour is possible, though the scattered nature of the showers means it is not certain where these higher totals and any impacts may occur.


"The greatest chance of impacts is in the afternoon, with the risk decreasing again on Sunday evening, though a few thunderstorms are still possible overnight."

What is a thunderstorm?

More storms could be on their way to Somerset on Bank Holiday Monday

A thunderstorm is a series of sudden electrical discharges resulting from atmospheric conditions. These discharges result in sudden flashes of light and trembling sound waves, commonly known as thunder and lightning.

Thunderstorms are associated with convective clouds and are often accompanied by precipitation.

Where do they form?

Thunderstorms are common occurrences on earth according to the Met Office.

It is estimated that a lightning strike hits somewhere on the earth's surface approximately 44 times every second, a total of nearly 1.4 billion lightning strikes every year.

Owing to the fact thunderstorms are created by intense heating of the earth's surface, they are most common in areas of the globe where the weather is hot and humid. Land masses therefore experience more storms than the oceans and they are also more frequent in tropical areas than the higher latitudes.


Share your pics and stories of the storm with us by emailing james.brinsford@reachplc.com or by tagging @SomersetLive or @JamesBrinsford on Twitter.

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