A WEATHER warning for snow has been issued – covering much of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

The Met Office says winter showers could hit the south west tomorrow (January 8) – including towns such as Taunton, Wincanton, Dorchester, Gillingham, Mere, Ferndown and Salisbury – with a yellow warning in place from 9am to midnight on Wednesday.

A forecaster said: “While not all areas may be affected, outbreaks of snow may push in from the southwest during Wednesday, potentially giving some significant accumulations in places.”

They said between 2cm and 5cm of snow “could accumulate fairly widely, and as much as 10 cm over higher ground”.

“Rain or sleet is more likely near coasts,” the Met Office expert went on. “Note that there is still a possibility that the weather system, and associated rain or snow, may remain further south across the English Channel.

“As precipitation clears eastwards and skies clear during Wednesday night, ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces.”

The Met Office warning says people should expect:

• a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
• a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off, most likely in upland areas
• a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel