HEAVY rain is set to hit Gwent tonight as the Met Office issues a yellow warning over localised flooding, meaning "be aware".

There will be outbreaks of heavy, thundery rain spreading from the south today and overnight into tomorrow with the potential for some torrential downpours in places.

The yellow warning issued by the Met Office will remain in place until 9am tomorrow.

The Met Office's chief forecaster's assessment predicts the rain will move northeast across much of Wales, central and eastern England during the rest of the day, while further thundery showers will affect south-western areas during the evening and overnight into Friday.

Amounts of rain will vary but 20-30 mm is possible within an hour, and 40-50 mm within three hours, mainly in the southwest, but many places will receive much less than this.