THE threat of snow hangs over Hampshire today as the Met Office issues a severe weather warning for the region.

A yellow warning has been issued for wintery showers of snow, sleet and hail expected to hit the region during the rush hour.

Forecasters say that scattered showers are advancing on the county this evening driven by a freezing north-westerly Polar blast The white stuff is most likely to fall on higher ground to the north of the county, with sleet, hail and rain in more southerly low lying areas as the mercury plummets Conditions will ease slightly later tonight overnight but a fresh band of snow is forecast for the early hours as temperatures plummet to as low as -3C in rural areas.

Commuters are expected to wake up to a covering of the white stuff tomorrow morning likely to cause chaos during the rush hour.

Forecasters predict a covering of 1-2cm in lower levels and up to 5cm on higher ground creating hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians with the risk of icy stretches forming on untreated surfaces.

Strong winds will also accentuate the bitter cold feel with speeds of between 10-15mph gusting to 30mph in some exposed areas.

Daily Echo: Snow alert on Hampshire motorway

But conditions are expected to improve into tomorrow the odd snow shower turning to rain and temperatures even peaking at 7C in some areas.

The county unlikely to suffer as much from another cold blast hitting the country over the weekend as the wind direction subtly changes from north-west to a northerly path.

Forecaster Mark Wilson said: “There is a continued risk of snow, sleet and hail for Hampshire over the next few hours.

“It will dry out for a time but there is another band of sleet and snow pushing in from the north in the early hours bringing the chances of waking up to snow.

“There is a very high risk of treacherous travelling conditions tomorrow morning with it being most hazardous during the rush hour.

“There will be an improving picture tomorrow and although we could get the odd shower it's more likely to fall as rain in the Hampshire area.

“There is less risk of snow over the weekend with the change of wind direction but it stays cold with some isolated wintery showers.”