Forecasters predict snow is on its way to Dorset (From Dorset Echo)

Forecasters predict snow is on its way to Dorset

2:00pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in Local News By Joanna Davis

SNOW is likely this weekend as forecasters predict a bitterly cold few days.

People in Dorset are being urged to stay warm and safe during the cold snap, with snow predicted overnight tonight and expected to ease away tomorrow.

Minimum temperatures are predicted to fall to -6C to -10C in the South West over the weekend.

Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester has reported an increase in patients coming in with respiratory problems which can be brought on by the cold.

A spokesman said: “We would urge people to keep an eye on elderly relatives and neighbours during this cold snap. The advice for anyone living alone is to keep at least one room in their house warm and move around regularly.”

Brian Hayter, owner of Littlemoor Hardware in Weymouth, said customers were stocking up for the cold snap.

He said: “Logs and coal sales have increased three or four-fold.

“We’ve just had the first busiest day this winter for selling them.

“But we’ve sold nowhere near what we sold last winter.”

Mr Hayter said he has his fingers crossed for snow and would be hoping to sell some sledges.

He said: “If we are going to get snow this winter then it is probably better to get it on the weekend so the children can play in it and most people don’t have to go out in it.”

Age UK Dorchester has issued a number of tips to residents to help see them through the icy weather.

It is also urging people to contact them for help with heating bills.

Other services on offer include collecting food and prescriptions so people don’t have to venture out onto icy pavements, provision of emergency blankets, heaters and thermos flasks and free room thermometers.

Rob Farrington, of the RSPB Dorset Visitor Experience, said the sudden cold snap had confused the birds in local nature reserves after a mild winter.

He said: “People can help by going to break the ice in their gardens so the birds and get in and out and drink,” he said.

As the cold spell continues, national charity Living Streets is calling for icy pavements to be cleared and gritted.

Chief executive Tony Armstrong said the charity is calling for councils to give key walking routes the same priority as key roads.