Met Office increases severe weather warning for Herald, Gazette and Observer area

The warning has now been upgraded from “be aware” to “be prepared”.

“Be prepared”, or the orange warning, is one below the Met Office’s highest category warning of “take action”.

A Met Office spokesman said: “A band of heavy showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by hail, will continue to affect some south coastal counties of England through this afternoon and into the early evening.

“The public should be prepared for an increased risk of localised flooding and disruption to travel, particularly during today’s rush hour.

“The showers should gradually ease from the west this evening.”