A yellow severe weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued covering a large area of the UK today.

Within the worst affected areas, slow-moving thunderstorms could lead to rainfall accumulations of 20-25mm within an hour.

Some locations could see in excess of 40mm in a 2-3 hour period.

However, the Met Office has allocated the warning to central England and Wales, which means Cumbria may escape the more extreme weather.

Cumbria weather forecast:

Today:

A grey and damp start to Wednesday with heavy and persistent rain. Gradually turning showery through the afternoon with a risk of thundery downpours, but some brighter interludes possible. Remaining windy and feeling cool for August. Maximum temperature 20 °C.

Tonight:

Showers gradually easing through the evening, becoming drier overnight with some clear spells. Remaining breezy, and cooler than Tuesday night. Minimum temperature 10 °C.

Thursday:

After a mostly dry and bright start, showers will quickly develop through the morning, turning heavy and thundery at times. Remaining breezy with temperatures around average. Maximum temperature 20 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Brisk northwesterly winds on Friday bringing cloud, occasional sunny intervals and the chance of showers. Possibly turning more generally wet on Saturday, with further showers on Sunday. Feeling cool.

What the Met Office say:

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: “An unseasonably deep area of low pressure for the time of year will move into Ireland during the early hours of Wednesday then continue across Wales and England during Wednesday daytime.

"Heavy rain associated with this low will affect large parts of the UK tonight and on Wednesday, some of the heaviest rain occurring on Wednesday over central parts of England and Wales where some locations could see 40mm of rain in just a few hours from thundery downpours.

"This deep low will also bring high winds into the UK on Wednesday, especially the south. Gusts of up to 60mph are possible in the very far southwest early on Wednesday whilst further along the south coast the highest gusts will be during Wednesday daytime."