MAKE the most of the sunshine this afternoon. 

As over the next two days forecasters are warning of thunderstorms and heavy rain with 30 to 50 mm of rain predicted to fall in three hours. 

The warning starts from 3am on Tuesday morning and goes on until midnight on Wednesday. 

A Met Office spokesman said: "Thunderstorms and outbreaks of heavy rain will arrive across the far south west early on Tuesday and then spread further north east across England and Wales whilst also increasing in frequency during the day.

"In a few places there is the potential for 30 mm or so of rain to fall in an hour or two and 30 to 50 mm of rain to fall in three hours.

"Parts of northern and eastern Wales, the western Midlands and southern parts of north west England are thought most likely to see the highest rainfall totals."

While for Wednesday, the Met Office warns: "Thunderstorms and outbreaks of heavy rain already affecting some southern and western parts of the warning area during the early hours of Wednesday then become more widespread through Wednesday daytime.

"In a few places these thunderstorms could produce 30 mm of rainfall in an hour and 40 to 50 mm in a few hours.

"Some parts of the warning area will miss the heaviest rainfall."

The warning adds there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

A Met Office spokesman added: "Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures."

The Met Office forecast for the next 48 hours:

This evening

Dry and sunny to end the day, but skies will turn cloudier overnight with showery outbreaks of rain arriving through the early hours, becoming confined to the north of the region.

Fairly warm too and turning breezier. Minimum temperature 13 °C.

Tuesday

Showery rain in the north will clear, leaving a mix of sunny spells and showers.

The showers will be frequent and thundery with torrential rain. Maximum temperature 24 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday

Sunny spells and heavy showers through the rest of the week, with thundery downpours, especially on Wednesday.

Breezy early on Wednesday, but winds easing thereafter with more sunny spells.