Met Office issues amber weather warning for Stowmarket, Needham Market, Woodbridge, Ipswich, Beccles and Felixstowe as thunderstorms to strike

Thunderstorms are expected to strike Suffolk today as an amber weather warning has been issued.

Earlier this week, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Suffolk from 7pm until 6am tomorrow.

However, today forecasters have upgraded the alert in some areas — issuing an amber warning for parts of Suffolk and Norfolk where more severe conditions are expected.

While the yellow warning remains in place county-wide, the amber alert now applies to towns including Stowmarket, Needham Market, Woodbridge, Ipswich, Beccles and Felixstowe.

The amber warning will be in effect from 8pm until 5am tomorrow.

The Met Office said while many areas may escape the worst of the weather, some places could see torrential downpours with 30 to 50mm of rain — and potentially even more in certain areas.

With much of that rain expected to fall in a short time, there is a risk of surface water flooding which could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

Additional hazards could include large hail, frequent lightning, and strong winds potentially reaching 40 to 50mph, although these conditions are not expected to affect all locations included in the warning.

Power cuts may also occur to some homes and businesses and there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.