Met Office warnings for rain and thunderstorms in New Forest and Christchurch

A WEATHER warning for heavy rain has been issued for an area including New Forest and Christchurch today (Thursday) followed by thunderstorms tomorrow.

The Met Office published the yellow alert – the lowest level – for a region of central and south-east England, just days after heavy wind and rain from Storm Francis swept through on Tuesday and yesterday.

Residents were cautioned to expect spray and flooding on roads this afternoon, probably making journey times longer.

It added that bus and train services may be affected, and some flooding of homes and businesses would possible.

The warning is set to run from 11.30am until about 7pm.

The Met Office said: "Areas of heavy rain will continue to move eastwards across southern parts of England, bringing up to 30 or 40mm in five or six hours in a few areas – enough to cause a lot of surface water and some flooding on roads.

"Conditions drying up across the west of the warning area later."

It also predicted tomorrow would be affected by further heavy showers and thunderstorms which could bring some disruption, especially to transport. The warning runs from 11am to 8pm.

It said: "Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop quite quickly later on Friday morning, but peaking during the afternoon for many, before probably becoming more restricted to the south-east and south coastal counties towards evening."