BATTEN down the hatches - a thunder storm is approaching.

People across Hampshire are warned to brace themselves for downpours and thunder today and the stormy weather expected to last until the evening.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning affecting areas in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The public have also been warned to be aware of the risk of localised flooding.

Areas of heavy and local thundery rain were expected to move north and west across the southern half of England during the early hours, but heavy showers, along with the risk of slow-moving thundery downpours, are likely to develop quite quickly during the day, the Met Office said.

The Met Office's chief forecaster's assessment said: “To the rear of the frontal zone scattered thundery showers are likely to develop bringing some further localised downpours during Thursday afternoon.

“Considerable local variations in rainfall are likely.

“However, totals of more than 40mm are likely in places through the day with a risk of 15mm falling in less than an hour.”

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