A THUNDERSTORMS warning is in force for Herefordshire today, with heavy downpours potentially on their way.

The Met Office said intense showers and thunderstorms are expected to break out fairly widely from late-morning today (September 9), before easing during the evening.

While forecasters said many areas will miss the most intense storms, torrential downpours are likely in a few places, with the potential for 20 to 30 mm of rain in less than an hour and up to 40 mm in two hours.

This will have the potential to cause surface water flooding, especially in urban areas.

The Met Office said there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds, and there is a chance of travel disruption and difficult driving conditions.

The yellow warning is in force from 10am to 8pm today.