A SEVERE weather warning has been issued with heavy rain and possible thunder expected in Surrey and Hampshire from this afternoon.

Downpours are set to arrive in Surrey and Hampshire at around 1pm on Tuesday and last overnight into Wednesday, and forecasters predict as much as 30mm rain could fall in an hour and up to 60mm in six to 12 hours.

The Met Office’s chief forecaster said: "There is much uncertainty with the forecast for this period and some places could even stay dry.

"However, heavy and thundery rain could produce 20 to 30 mm rain in an hour and very locally 40 to 60 mm in 6 to 12 hours. Should this occur then some flooding is possible, especially across urban areas.

"Overnight rain should gradually start to ease and by early Wednesday morning may be confined to parts of the East Midlands and East Anglia."