Met Office issues thunderstorm warning for Norfolk

The Met Office has issued a warning for the county with flash flooding, lightning strikes and hail a possibility throughout Saturday (July 7).

It follows an earlier heat health warning from The UK Health Security Agency with temperatures expected to reach more than 30C.

A map of the area under the thunderstorm warning on Saturday (Image: Met Office)

The thunderstorm warning is in place from 9am to midnight on Saturday and covers the whole of the east of England.

Up to two inches of rain could fall in a short space of time and there may be frequent lightning, gusty winds and large hail.

Met Office forecasters have said homes and businesses could be damaged amid the storms and power cuts could occur.

Travel disruption is also likely and the heavy downpours could cause difficult driving conditions.

It is not currently clear exactly when the storms will hit but rain is forecast in western areas such as Thetford and King's Lynn from the afternoon.

READ MORE: UK Health Security Agency issues yellow heat alert for Norfolk

The warm weather and storms are due to an area of low pressure in the west drawing up warm and humid air from southern Europe.

Forecaster Grahame Madge said: “What’s happening is we have a large area of low pressure which is out to the west of Britain and Ireland and the way that revolves is the area around it is going in an anti-clockwise direction which is going to have the effects of drawing up quite warm and humid air coming up from south continental Europe."

The UK Health Security Agency has put its yellow alert for heat in place from midday today (July 7) until 9am on Sunday.

It means it is likely there will be an increase in the use of healthcare services by the vulnerable and an increase in risk to health for individuals over 65 or those who have pre-existing health conditions.