'Intense thunderstorms’ and ‘torrential rain’ are possible over the next three days in Dorset after weather warnings were issued.

Two separate thunderstorm warnings from the Met Office are now in place – the first between 6pm on Wednesday, June 16 and 11.59pm on Thursday, June 17 and a second alert in place for 9am on Friday, June 18 and 9am on Saturday, June 19.

The warnings state: “Some places are likely to see thunderstorms later Wednesday through to Friday with the potential for travel disruption and flooding.

“Thunderstorms may once again develop across much of England and east Wales through Friday, lasting into Saturday.”

Met Office has warned residents that there is a ‘small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.’

A weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday reads: “Cloud spreading across all areas through the evening and showers move in from the south.

“Overnight these showers could turn heavy and possibly thundery, especially in the east.

“Western areas becoming drier through the early hours. Minimum temperature 12 °C.

“Heavy showers in the east quickly clearing to leave a mostly dry Thursday.

“Although initially cloudy, skies will gradually clear from the west, providing sunny spells for most later on. Maximum temperature 22 °C.

According to Met Office, this is the weather forecast for towns across Dorset over Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning.

Beaminster

Rain to begin from 10pm, with heavy rain at 12am. Rain to stop at 1am on Thursday and resume at 5am until 8am.

Bere Regis

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening and into early hours of Thursday. Rain between 1am and 7am.

Blandford Forum

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening and into early hours of Thursday. Rain between 5am and 7am.

Bournemouth

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until midnight. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 12am and 8am.

Bridport

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 10pm. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 10pm and 1am on Thursday, with further rain predicted between 5am and 7am.

Charminster (Dorset Council area)

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 10pm. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 10pm and 2am on Thursday, with further rain predicted between 3am and 7am.

Corfe Mullen

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 1am on Thursday. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 1am and 7am.

Dorchester

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 10pm. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 10pm and 7am on Thursday.

Ferndown

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 1am on Thursday. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 1am and 8am.

Gillingham

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 1am on Thursday. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 1am and 3am with further rain showers between 5am and 8am.

Lyme Regis

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 10pm. Heavy rain between 10pm and 1am on Thursday with further rain spells between 5am and 8am.

Poole

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 1am on Thursday. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 1am and 7am.

Portland

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening and into early hours of Thursday. Rain between 3am and 7am.

Shaftesbury

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 1am on Thursday. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 1am and 3am with further rain showers between 5am and 8am.

Sherborne

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until midnight on Thursday. Light rain between 12am and 1am with further rain showers between 6am and 7am.

Swanage

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 11pm. A mixture of light and heavy rain between 1am and 7am on Thursday.

Sturminster Newton

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 12am on Thursday. Light rain between 12am and 7am on Thursday.

Wareham

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening until 12am on Thursday. Light and heavy rain between 12am and 7am on Thursday.

Weymouth

Rain to begin from 10pm, with heavy rain at 11pm. Rain to continue until 2am on Thursday and resume at 4am until 7am

Yetminster

Cloudy weather throughout Wednesday evening and into early hours of Thursday. Rain between 5am and 7am.