THE Met Office has issued a severe weather warning with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected to hit Surrey and Hampshire this afternoon.

Torrential downpours are forecast to break out mid to late afternoon on Tuesday and persist into the evening, coinciding with the rush hour.

Due to light winds, some of these showers are likely to be slow moving, leading to some prolonged, torrential thundery downpours.

Up to 25mm of rain is anticipated in a relatively short space of time and close to 40mm in two or three hours.

The Met Office is urging people to be aware of the potential for localised flooding and disruption to travel.