THUNDERSTORMS, wind and heavy downpours could bring disruption across Dorset later this week, the Met Office has warned.

Forecasters have said some places could see as much as 30mm of rainfall in just a few hours on Friday.

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of the county. It will be in force between 12am and midnight on Friday.

The Met Office said there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded causing damage to some buildings.

It said there was also a “small chance” of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.

Trains and bus services could also be affected while drivers could experience difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

The Chief Forecaster said: “A band of heavy rain, with the possibility of some very heavy bursts, will move northwards during Thursday night and Friday. Within this band 10-15 mm is widely expected, however some places could see as much as 30 mm in just a few hours.”

They added: "Once the rain has cleared scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop, particularly during Friday. Many places will miss these, but where they do occur 10-20 mm is possible in one hour, with perhaps 30 mm in a few hours."

A second weather warning for strong winds was also issued for the county. It will be in place from 12am on Saturday until midnight.

The Met Office said "unseasonably strong southwesterly winds are expected to cause some disruption" with gusts of 40mph possible widely inland.

A further weather warning for wind was issued on Thursday for the majority of Dorset.

Between 3pm and 11.59pm on Friday the warning will be in force, with gusts of 40-50mph expected inland and around 60mph gusts around the coasts.