Forecasters say there is an increasing chance of south Essex being hit by thunderstorms this afternoon. 

The Met Office has not issued a weather warning as yet but says there is a high per cent chance of thundery downpours hitting the likes of Southend and Basildon.

Showers are expected to turn heavy and thundery throughout the afternoon, with periods of rain lasting longer than this morning. 

Basildon appears the most likely to see thunder, with the Met Office suggesting there is a 70 per cent chance of storms triking between 2pm and 7pm. 

That increases to around 80 per cent at 5pm. 

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The heavy rain will eventually clear by 8pm when a brighter end to the day is forecast. 

Southend is most likely to see thunder between 4pm and 7pm, with the chances rated between 60 and 70 per cent. 

Any rain will clear after 7pm but it is forecast to remain cloudy throughout the evening. 

Tomorrow is set to be the best day in terms of weather for the rest of the week, with highs of 22c forecast in south Essex and long periods of sunshine expected. 

A mix of sunshine and heavy rain is expected on Friday and throughout the weekend. 

The Met Office says the weather will remain changeable in the first week of August.