A WEATHER warning of sleet, ice and snow has been issued for the Southampton area.

Residents are being urged to watch out for patches of ice and strong winds around coastal areas as temperatures plunge.

The Met Office says that snow may fall in Hampshire, although it is more likely to be a mixture of rain and sleet on lower ground.

Conditions are expected to improve overnight but the public are advised to be aware of the risk of disruption due to icy roads and wind.

Gusts of up to 30mph are possible early this afternoon but the temperature will hover around freezing for the rest of the day.

The weather warning is in place until midday today although needles will drop to about -2C overnight.

Snow has already affected the county this weekend after a mass cycling event due to start in Winchester was cancelled due to snow.

Hundreds of riders were due to take part in the OS January Insanity Sportive with a route beginning at Sparsholt Agricultural College and heading over Downs to Kings Worthy and Itchen Valley.

But in a statement organisers said: “Due to unpredicted snow we have had to cancel this morning's OS January Insanity Sportive.”