SOMERSET looks set to be lashed with rain and heavy thunderstorms during the start of Bank Holiday Weekend.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the region for tonight and Saturday with a period of bad weather kicking off the weekend.

The warning is in place from 1pm on Friday afternoon until Saturday at 9pm.

The Met Office has warned that there could be severe thunderstorms in the region, which could produce up to 20mm of rain an hour.

There will also be sporadic heavy showers, and the possibility of hail.

The Met Office is urging people to be aware of the bad weather, which could trigger localised flash flooding.

Saturday will remain dry until midday before the worst of the weather hits.

However, the forecast for Sunday looks to be bright and sunny, meaning the whole weekend will not be a washout.

The Met Office’s Chief Forecaster said in a statement: “Showers will clear away to the northwest this morning (Friday), with the cloud continuing to break to allow some sunshine.

“This in turn will allow the temperature to rise sufficiently to trigger shower development through the afternoon, with some becoming heavy, thundery and slow moving, for example over parts of southwest England.

“Hail is also possible in some of the showers.

“The heaviest showers and thunderstorms could produce 20 mm of rain within an hour.”

The chief forecaster added: “Heavy showers are expected to develop around midday on Saturday, with some thunderstorms likely during the afternoon, when they will tend to become organised into bands. Hail is also likely in some of the showers.

“The heaviest showers and thunderstorms could produce 20-25 mm of rain within an hour in a few places.”