Forecasters have warned of a potential risk of thunderstorms across Essex tonight after months of dry weather.
The Met Office forecast indicates that much of Essex should remain dry through the evening, but showers may develop overnight and into the early hours of Saturday.
The Met Office says there is a chance of showers developing later today, with some potentially becoming heavy and thundery.
"Although many areas could remain dry, any storms that form may bring sudden heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds."
Southend is forecast to be largely sunny and dry through much of the day, but the Met Office has highlighted a risk of showers later on.
BBC Weather also says showers are expected to move in tonight, with some locally heavy and carrying a risk of thunder.
In Chelmsford, forecasters say an isolated shower could develop later today and may be thundery.
The risk continues overnight as showers move across eastern England.
Colchester could also see unsettled conditions.
BBC Weather says the city may experience an isolated shower this afternoon that could be thundery, before patchy cloud and showers arrive tonight.
Met Office forecasting for the wider county has also pointed to a risk of showers later in the day, some of which could be heavy and thundery.
No dedicated thunderstorm warning covering Essex has been issued at the time of writing.
However, because storms can develop quickly and be highly localised, residents across the county should check the latest forecast before making evening plans.
The prospect of rain will be welcomed by many after Essex was placed in official drought last month.
The Environment Agency declared a drought across East Anglia on July 29 following exceptionally low rainfall and persistent high temperatures.
Essex and Suffolk Water has introduced a hosepipe ban across much of its Essex supply area, its first such restriction in nearly 30 years.
Tendring is currently the only part of the county not covered by the restriction.
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