The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and lightning which could bring 'disruption' to as many as 75 UK areas from midnight on Friday morning. The forecaster has warned of a 'slight chance' of power cuts and lightning strikes as well as flooding.

It said: "Many areas missing the worst, but thunderstorms could bring disruption in places during Thursday night and into Friday morning." The warning is on top of a yellow warning for more than 30 areas of Scotland issued on Friday as well.

For today, the Met Office says there will be plenty of sunshine, though low cloud affecting some North Sea coasts.

It adds that it will be hot for most, exceptionally so across southern and central parts of England and Wales.

It will be breezier than Wednesday with more rain and clouds in the northwest of Scotland, with spells of heavy rain.

For tonight, it says: "Rain in the northwest turning thundery. Further thunderstorms with strong gusty winds developing across southwest England during Thursday evening before spreading northeastwards overnight. Warm and humid for all."

For Friday, it adds: "Rather cloudy across northern regions with outbreaks of rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by hail and gusty winds. Peak heat transferring to eastern England, with temperatures further west dropping slightly."

For Saturday to Monday, it says: "Still hot in the southeast on Saturday. Fresher conditions gradually arriving from the west during the weekend, but this accompanied by spells of rain and thundery showers. Drier by Monday."

The full list of 75 UK areas affected is: