THE Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for snow and ice in Hampshire from this afternoon (Friday) and overnight into Saturday.

A mix of rain, sleet and snow is expected to push south across southern parts of England and Wales through Friday afternoon and evening, before clearing by the early hours of Saturday.

Snow will be confined predominantly to higher ground with possible accumulations of one to two centimetres. At lower levels, this will mainly fall as rain and sleet but may turn briefly to heavier outbreaks of snow.

As the front clears south through Friday evening, a greater hazard will come from the potential for widespread black ice to form quickly on road surfaces and pavements.

People are urged to be aware of potentially difficult driving conditions and some travel disruption during the Friday evening rush hour and overnight into Saturday morning.