AN amber alert warning of “severe” weather has been issued by the Met Office.

The level 3 alert says there is a 90 per cent probability of cold weather, icy conditions or heavy snow between 9am on Monday, March 6 and midnight on Thursday, March 9.

The warning covers the whole of England, including the south west.

The Met Office said: “Very cold weather is expected across most of England this week, with widespread frosts overnight and temperatures struggling to rise above freezing in some places during the day.

“A band of rain and hill snow will move southwards during Monday, perhaps bringing some snow to low levels for a time overnight into Tuesday for central, eastern and south-eastern England.

“To the north of this band frequent snow showers will affect northeast England during Monday and Tuesday, with icy stretches developing.

"Another spell of rain, sleet and snow is likely for southern parts of England during Wednesday, then central and northern England are at risk of seeing periods of snow on Thursday and Friday.”

An amber alert is triggered when conditions could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

Currently, the Met Office forecast is forecasting sleet for Tuesday morning, March 6, with light snow predicted at 1pm.

Temperatures of 4C are expected during the day but it will feel like 0C or minus 1C.

Light rain is forecast for Wednesday and it will feel even colder during the day with lows of minus 4C or 3C.