THUNDERSTORMS could be on the cards for Dorset later today as temperatures soar.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 6pm tonight.

It comes as temperatures are set to reach 29C later today.

The warning for Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of the county will be in forced until 9am on Wednesday.

The Met Office has warned there is a “slight chance” that power cuts could occur and properties could suffer damage from lightning strikes.

It also said there was a “small chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.”

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Scattered thunderstorms are expected to affect parts of south-west and southern England this evening, moving north quickly across the UK overnight, clearing Scotland and eastern England by mid-morning on Wednesday.

"Although some places will miss the thunderstorms altogether, where they do occur there is the potential for frequent lightning, hail and gusty winds, as well as sudden downpours in a few places."

BBC weather is also forecasting lightning from midnight tonight until 2am on Wednesday in Bournemouth.

Sunshine and highs of 26C have been forecast for Wednesday and Thursday before temperatures fall to around 21C by the weekend.