A severe weather warning has been issued for Southampton as high winds could reach 50mph.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TRSO) – also known as TORRO - has warned a tornado is looming and could sweep into the city and wider Hampshire area tonight.

The warning has been issued from 1pm this afternoon and lasts until midnight tonight.

The county could see gusty winds of up to 50mph.

A spokesperson for TSRO said: “A shortwave trough will move ENE this afternoon/evening, accompanied by areas of showery rain, some convective in nature.

“One or more small-scale circulations (mesolows) may evolve, although model guidance differs somewhat on the exact morphology.

“Gusty winds, hail (perhaps up to 1cm diameter), and occasional CG lightning may accompany the stronger cores.

“Additionally, isolated tornadoes are possible, especially if any mesolows form.

"Any such mesolows would produce a more focussed risk corridor for gusty winds and occasional tornadoes.”

READ MORE: 'Terrifying' tornado damages houses and trees in Hampshire

The organisation has also warned of isolated tornadoes and hail.

It comes after a “terrifying” tornado battered houses in Hampshire last month.

TORRO said the length of the tornado which swept through Aldershot was 2km long.

The organisation’s investigator posted on Twitter that they had given the tornado a preliminary T1 or T2 rating which would rate it as a light or mild tornado.