Disruption expected amid forecast of heavy rain and thunderstorms

A warning has been issued for heavy rain and thunderstorms across Northern Ireland on Thursday.

The Met Office is expecting up to 20mm of rain in an hour in a few places, with up to 40mm in under three hours.

This is likely to lead to some difficult travel conditions, possible flooding and disruption to electricity supplies and other services.

The yellow alert is in place from 06:00 BST on Thursday until 21:00.

The wet weather is expected to move north throughout the day, before clearing towards evening.

Strong winds are also expected, especially around the coast and over high ground, with gusts of up to 45mph (70km/h).

Heavy showers and perhaps thunderstorms are also expected at times on Friday and Saturday with sunnier spells in between.

The showers are expected ease into Sunday.

Similar thunderstorm warnings have also been issued across much of the Republic of Ireland.

The Irish weather service, Met Éireann, has warned of possible flooding and lightning damage in Cork and Waterford from 22:00 local time on Wednesday to 03:00 on Thursday.

A further 19 counties come under a yellow thunderstorm warning throughout Thursday, some lasting until 17:00.