The Met Office has issued new weather warnings for seven areas, with potential flooding causing “danger to life”. A yellow alert for thunderstorms is now in place between 10pm tonight (May 26) and 2am tomorrow (May 27) for Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Peterborough, and Suffolk.

Up to 30mm of rain may fall in just 30 minutes in some areas, accompanied by hail, lightning, and gusty winds. The Met Office said: “An area of thunderstorms is moving eastwards and will clear later this evening or during the early hours of Wednesday. “Where storms occur, heavy rain and frequent lightning is expected and 20 to 30 mm of rain may fall in 30 to 60 minutes in some places. Storms may also be accompanied by hail and gusty winds in a few spots.”

It added: “There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services. There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads.

“There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost. Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.”