A YELLOW weather warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms has been extended across Somerset and Devon.

The Met Office initially put out a 12-hour weather warning from 10am today (Tuesday, October 8).

That has now been extended until 3am tomorrow morning (Wednesday, October 9). 

The Met Office says: "Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected during Tuesday, with some localised disruption possible.

"Whilst some areas will miss these, where they develop 20-30 mm of rain within 2-3 hours, with a small chance that a few places could receive 40-50 mm over a longer period - particularly across the southeast of the area this evening.

"Hail and lightning will be additional hazards, with a risk of temporary hail accumulations in places. In addition, heavy showers and thunderstorms will be associated with strong and gusty winds in the south of the warning area at times with 40 mph gusts possible."

Read more: Met Office yellow weather warning for thunder in Somerset 

Read more: Yellow weather warning issued for most of the south west.

Updated flood alerts for rivers in South East Somerset and South Somerset have also been issued today.

A spokesperson for the Met Office added: "Residents should expect spray and sudden flooding which could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. 

"Where flooding or lighting strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations of public transport such as trains and bus services.

"There is a chance that some communities may become cut off by flooded roads, that power cuts will occur and other services  to some homes and businesses could be lost, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds."

New data from the Met Office reveals that the last month was "one of the wettest months in Somerset's history" with163.3mm of rainfall across Somerset. This is 130 per cent more than the average.