UK weather: warnings of thunderstorms for Northern Ireland and south-west England

Dorset is among the areas covered by the yellow thunderstorm warnings. Photograph: Dorset Media Service/Alamy

Thunderstorm warnings have been issued across south-west England and parts of Northern Ireland for Tuesday that could continue into the evening.

The Met Office also said “intense” downpours, with up to 2in (5cm) of rain, could be expected to fall over a few hours in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset, Torbay and in western parts of Northern Ireland.