A SEVERE weather warning has been issued for the South West by TORRO and will be in place until 8pm tonight (Friday, September 20).

TORRO, The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation, said the warning is already in place across the South West.

The research organisation defines a severe thunderstorm as producing one or more of the following:

• One or more tornadoes and/or waterspouts

• Hail with diameter of at least 20mm

• Non-tornadic winds gusting to 55 mph or more at surface (but which are not part of synoptic-scale straight-line winds of such velocities)

Thunder/lightning does not necessarily need to be present for any of the conditions listed above to occur.

Earlier today, the Met Office also issued a warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain showers for Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21.

The Met Office also added thunderstorms with lightning strikes are likely to cause "some damage to a few buildings and structures", as well as poor driving conditions, possible power cuts, and delays to train services.