TORRENTIAL downpours are expected to hit Suffolk overnight as the county braces itself for several hours of severe weather.The Met Office has issued a weather warning for most parts of the country, including East Anglia, with rainfall potentially exceeding 20mm an hour in places.

TORRENTIAL downpours are expected to hit Suffolk overnight as the county braces itself for several hours of severe weather.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for most parts of the country, including East Anglia, with rainfall potentially exceeding 20mm an hour in places.

Additional hazards include the risk of strong winds and even hail.

However, a spokesman for the Met Office said because of the expected time of the rain, disruption should be minimised.

He said: "In the Suffolk area, the hardest storms will arrive at around midnight which will lessen any problems, especially to motorists.

"The current chance of disruption stands at around 40 per cent.

"There is a possibility of localised flooding as the rain will be heavy and slow moving."

Scattered thunderstorms were expected to travel northwards from France and into the UK this afternoon, with rain becoming more widespread throughout the evening.

Evening Star weatherman Ken Blowers said clouds would start to form shortly after tea-time.

He said: "As with all thunder storms, it's very hit and miss. Some places will get very wet and others won't.

"As things have gone so far, it looks as if this June could be one of the driest in 60 years, however much will depend on what happens tonight."

Mr Blowers added that because of the recent dry and hot spells, hay-fever sufferers in Suffolk had endured a particularly tough month with pollen counts unusually high.

The outlook for Wednesday suggests more wet weather, although not as severe, while temperatures and sunshine are expected to increase on Thursday.

Friday should continue along the same theme, although temperatures will cool to around 18C on Saturday.