Met Office issues yellow weather warning for Dorset

Roads could be icy and parts of north and West Dorset could see wintry showers this morning as a yellow weather warning for snow, ice and wind covers the areas until 11am. 

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Delays to travel are possible, with a lower likelihood of cancellations of public transport. Some roads and pavements will turn icy, with an increased likelihood of some accidents and injuries."

Please take care on roads and pavements this morning as they could be slippery. Weather warning of snow and ice in place for much of the county at the moment.

— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) January 17, 2018

We have a weather warning for ice and snow so here's a reminder of where to find out about school closures, just in case https://t.co/96KAHoEZtt and where you can check on school transport https://t.co/fUIbJ2A42a pic.twitter.com/1Frv3XO17S

— DorsetCountyCouncil (@DorsetCC) January 17, 2018

Gritters were out across the county yesterday as Dorset braced itself for snow during the night. 

Dorset County Council’s (DCC) gritting team took to the roads at 6.30pm in a bid to tackle the wintry weather. 

Main routes in north and central Dorset and Purbeck were gritted in the evening with gritters moving to east Dorset at 3.30am this morning. 

Yesterday, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow, ice and wind for parts of the south-west including north Dorset and parts of West Dorset.

Heavy snow was forecast in Beaminster, Blandford Forum and Sherborne from 9pm and Dorchester had heavy snowfall forecast at midnight. 
Coastal areas including Weymouth and Portland were not gritted as only sleet was predicted. 

A spokesman from DCC said: “I urge drivers to drive according to the conditions. Allow extra time for the conditions, think about additional stopping times and check your car before you set off.”

They added if people wanted to check which roads had been gritted before planning their journey visit dorsetforyou.gov.uk/traveldorset/severe-weather/gritting.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for wind across the county which will come into effect . 

According to forecasters, severe gales during Wednesday night and into Thursday, especially around coasts and hills. 

A spokesman from the Met Office said: "Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, along with some damage to buildings." 

They added large waves were expected to affect some coasts with beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.