HEAVY rain and thunderstorms are expected to reach the Isle of Wight tonight (Sunday), according to the IW Met Service.

Local forecaster, Jamie Russell, says heavy showers and localised thunderstorms will develop later this evening.

He believes they will spread overnight, and into the early hours of the morning, potentially impacting the Isle of Wight between 10pm and 2am.

"Some extremely heavy downpours are likely," said Jamie. 

"And while they should be fairly short in duration, totals of 15-20mm are possible here and there, with extremely localised rainfall of up to 30mm.

"As always, there is a chance that the bulk of the showers could miss the Island due to the very localised nature of showers and thunderstorms.

"The showers may develop just to the north of the Island, meaning the worst of the rainfall would miss us by a few miles."

The yellow weather warning goes live tonight, at 9pm, and expires at 3am. 

Isle of Wight impacts, effects and measures

• Localised flash flooding in the usual locations, along with surface water on roads and walkways.
• Silt, soil and stones being washed across roads and pavements, especially in rural areas.
• Polluted storm water affecting some Island beaches.
• Risk of cloud to ground lightning.