Snow likely in Dorset with Met Office warnings for ice (From Dorset Echo)

Snow likely in Dorset with Met Office warnings for ice

5:35pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Miriam Phillips, Chief Reporter

DORSET is likely to see snow tomorrow and on Monday, with the north of the county set to be worst-hit.

After weeks of milder weather, local forecasters are predicting a cold snap that will start at the weekend.

In coastal areas, residents may well see snow, although it is unlikely to settle, with the Met Office issuing warnings for ice from 3pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday.

It has also issued warnings of snow in Bournemouth from 3am until 9pm on Monday.

All our bad weather advice including driving tips and gritting information Kevin Taylor of Dorset Weather said: “It’s looking very transitional at the moment, as we’re on the border of some quite substantial snow.

“If we don’t get snow, we’re looking at 20 to 30 millimetres of rain, but I’d say that on Saturday most people are going to see snow. Whether it settles or not is uncertain.”

Mr Taylor said Dorset is “very borderline”.

“North Dorset and anything over 200 metres in height could see between five and 10 centimetres of snow on Saturday,” he said.

“We’re probably looking at something more substantial next week. There could be four to five inches of snow away from coastal areas. Poole, Bournemouth and Swanage are going to be more borderline, but anywhere ten to 15 miles away could see snow sticking.”

Forecaster Cliff Thomas, who runs Wareham Weather, said: “It has been an absolute nightmare, even for professional forecasters.

“They are having all sorts of troubles. About seven or eight days ago, it was starting to look very cold. At one point it was looking brutal, but at the moment, the weather is looking a bit more normal for this time of year, as it has been very mild.”