DORSET is set to be hit by a mixture of 'heavy rain', 'strong and gusty winds' and 'slow-moving thunderstorms' in the coming days.
The county and the wider country have endured a heatwave with temperatures in Dorset in the high 20s throughout the week.
But the heatwave, which has been enjoyed by many, will come to a crashing halt with wet and unsettled weather starting today.
The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings which covers this Friday afternoon (July 23) through to Sunday night (July 25).
A weather warning for wind, which covers towns including Bridport, Weymouth, Dorchester, Wareham, Swanage, Bournemouth, Poole, has between 3pm and 11.59pm on Friday, July 23.
A 26-hour weather alert for thunderstorms, which covers Dorset, South West and parts of Wales, will be in place from 8pm on Friday evening until 10pm on Saturday evening (July 24).
Another thunderstorm weather alert has been issued for Sunday between 9am and 11.59pm.
The wind warning on Friday will bring 'strong and gusty winds' to the area and some places may see gusts of 45 to 55 mph, especially along exposed coasts and near and over hills.
A 26-hour thunderstorms weather warning is described by Met Office as 'heavy rain and thunderstorms which may lead to some disruption and flooding.'
A spokesman for Met Office said: "Heavy rain and thunderstorms will move into southern areas during Friday night, reaching south Wales and the Midlands early on Saturday.
"This is likely to bring frequent lightning, possible large hail and gusty winds as well as torrential rainfall for some. Where this occurs, perhaps most likely in central parts of southern England, 25 to 35 mm of rain could fall within an hour, with possible flooding.
"Further slow-moving thunderstorms will develop by Saturday afternoon across southern counties of England, easing only slowly through the evening.
"Not all places affected but where they occur, a renewed threat of torrential rainfall and flooding, some locations seeing 30 to 50 mm within an hour or two.
"Lightning, large hail and locally gusty winds could pose additional hazards."
Heavy showers and thunderstorms on Sunday 'may lead to flooding and transport disruption in some places on Sunday, although many places remaining dry', the Met Office say.
What to expect according to Met Office
- Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes or hail
- Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
- Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
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