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Flash flooding is expected across parts of London and the south-east tonight as thunderstorms sweep cross the region.

Up to two inches of rain could hit parts of the south-east, forecasters said.

Yellow "be aware" weather warnings of heavy rain overnight and into tomorrow have been issued by the Met Office across the capital.

Forecasters said the stormy conditions, including torrential rail, hail and frequent lighting, are expected due to increasingly warm and humid air from France.

More than an inch of rain could fall in an hour, and in some spots more than two inches could fall in the space of two or three hours, the Met Office said.

The Environment Agency said localised surface water flooding could occur in areas of the south-east, particularly in parts of Kent, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

First day of Summer in London washout 14 show all First day of Summer in London washout 1/14 On the first day of Summer commuters once again brave the rain into work near Waterloo Station Alex Lentati 2/14 A woman shelters from the rain under a newspaper Jack Taylor/Getty Images 3/14 People attempt to avoid a large puddle outside Victoria Station during a downpour this morning Lauren Hurley/PA 4/14 A woman stares forlornly out into pouring rain from the top deck of a London bus Alex Lentati 5/14 Tourists take shelter under Union Jack umbrellas Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA 6/14 A group of tourists wearing ponchos near the Houses of Parliament Jack Taylor/Getty Images 7/14 A woman takes shelter under her large jacket Alex Lentati 8/14 Splash! A commuter's leap falls short and he lands in a puddle Lauren Hurley/PA 9/14 People take shelter under their brollies on the Millenium Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA 10/14 Another commuter shelters under their newspaper Alex Lentati 11/14 Tourists shelter under an umbrella as they look at the Tower of London Nick Ansell/PA 12/14 Soaked: A man in shorts walks through the rain in London Jack Taylor/Getty Images 13/14 This cyclist also probably wishes he'd brought his rain mac Jack Taylor/Getty Images 14/14 A group wearing waterproof ponchos walk through the rain in Westminster Jack Taylor/Getty Images 1/14 On the first day of Summer commuters once again brave the rain into work near Waterloo Station Alex Lentati 2/14 A woman shelters from the rain under a newspaper Jack Taylor/Getty Images 3/14 People attempt to avoid a large puddle outside Victoria Station during a downpour this morning Lauren Hurley/PA 4/14 A woman stares forlornly out into pouring rain from the top deck of a London bus Alex Lentati 5/14 Tourists take shelter under Union Jack umbrellas Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA 6/14 A group of tourists wearing ponchos near the Houses of Parliament Jack Taylor/Getty Images 7/14 A woman takes shelter under her large jacket Alex Lentati 8/14 Splash! A commuter's leap falls short and he lands in a puddle Lauren Hurley/PA 9/14 People take shelter under their brollies on the Millenium Bridge Dominic Lipinski/PA 10/14 Another commuter shelters under their newspaper Alex Lentati 11/14 Tourists shelter under an umbrella as they look at the Tower of London Nick Ansell/PA 12/14 Soaked: A man in shorts walks through the rain in London Jack Taylor/Getty Images 13/14 This cyclist also probably wishes he'd brought his rain mac Jack Taylor/Getty Images 14/14 A group wearing waterproof ponchos walk through the rain in Westminster Jack Taylor/Getty Images

In response to the chance of flooding caused by the torrential downpours, theagency is urging people to check their flood risk.

Ian Nunn, Environment Agency manager, said: “Thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain at times across the south-east overnight into Thursday morning, and intermittently through to Friday morning, which may lead to surface water flooding in some communities, and significant disruption to travel, particularly in parts of Kent, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

"There is also a risk of flooding from smaller, faster responding rivers in built-up areas."

People are also being warned not to go near or try to drive through fast moving water.