Yellow weather warning for wind and rain in force across Essex
There's a risk of flooding
Heavy downpours and strong gusts could bring flooding and disruption to Essex today.
A yellow warning for rain is in place across the county until 5pm.
The Met Office warning states: "Rain will be heavy at times and perhaps become more prolonged to give 3-6 hours of rain.
"Most places within the warning area will see 10-15mm of rainfall but a few places could see 30-40mm with this falling onto already saturated ground.
"Lightning and gusty winds are likely to be additional hazards, with a small chance of gusts around 50mph in a few places."
Wind warnings
Parts of Essex are also covered by a yellow warning for wind from 8am to 6pm, with "gusts of around 50mph in a few places very briefly, as well as some hail and thunder".
The East of England, London, the South East and South West are the regions which have been urged to brace for "a small chance of disruption from strong winds".
The wind warning also states: "There is a small chance of a broader swathe of very strong winds affecting southern and eastern England with gusts of 60 to 70mph, mostly likely close to English Channel and southern North Sea coasts."
Flooding risks
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen explained: "There's a small chance that wind gusts could reach 60-70mph, mostly likely on exposed coasts, though more widely we're likely to see a shorter spell of heavy, squally rain with hail and thunder in a few places and gusts to around 50mph.
"Most places within the warning areas are likely to see 10-15mm of rain, with a chance of 30-40mm in a few places. This is falling on saturated ground, which elevates the chances of flooding and disruption."