SOMERSET residents are being warned to brace themselves for heavy showers and thunderstorms.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning spanning from 10am until 8pm today (September 9).

The warning says some flooding of home and businesses 'is likely', while there is a 'good chance' driving conditions will be affected.

Some 'short-term' loss of power could also result, as well as some damage to buildings.

Meanwhile, rainfall which started this morning is expected to get heavier before easing this afternoon and returning later, a forecaster warned.

"Outbreaks of rain first thing will become persistent and heavy for a time this morning," he said.

"The rain will give way to some brighter spells this afternoon, but at the same time some heavy and locally thundery downpours will develop."

Click here for a full weather forecast for your area

This evening would see "heavy and locally thundery showers" clearing southwards to leave a cloudy night with isolated showers, he added.