Hertfordshire could be hit by tornadoes today, a research group has warned, as residents brace themselves for more unsettled weather.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) has forecast rain possibly bringing “squally gusts and the chance of one or two brief tornadoes” in southern England.

It comes amid a Met Office yellow weather warning for rain between 5am and 5pm today.

TORRO wrote on its website: “Overnight, parts of Wales will have one or two lines of showery rain, and then later tonight and on Thursday, another area of showery rain, with lines/possible cells, will cross parts of central and southern England.

“Both of these sets of showery rain may bring squally gusts, and the small chance of one or two brief tornadoes - the highest chance of gusts and isolated tornadoes appears to be over parts of Central Southern England, the SE Midlands, E Anglia, and SE England later on Thursday morning and into Thursday afternoon.”

Watford Observer: TORRO weather warning.TORRO weather warning. (Image: TORRO)

The research group has said the regions could be battered by 60mph winds, hail and isolated lightning.

The Met Office has also said flooding and power cuts are possible while urging residents to expect potential rail and bus cancellations.

An hour-by-hour forecast suggests the worst rain is likely to hit between 12pm and 1pm, before possibly returning at around 3pm.