Weather latest: Snowfall set to cause disruption (From News Shopper)

Weather latest: Snowfall set to cause disruption

4:30pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in News © Press Association and news reporter

A BLANKET of snow is set to cover the News Shopper region tomorrow as the bitterly cold weather threatens to cause severe disruption.

Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing at around 6pm tonight (January 17) and remain below zero until around 11am tomorrow.

Snow expected across News Shopper region

Blizzards and strong winds are set to make conditions treacherous on the roads tomorrow with snow forecast for much of the day.

The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning for the southeast England region.

And Laura Caldwell, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said 4-6in (10-15cm) of snow is predicted to fall quite widely with as much as 10in (25cm) set to cover the hills.

She said: "Parts of the West Country, Wales, the West Midlands and central and southern England are going to get quite a bit of snow tomorrow.

"There will be quite a few centimetres in the morning with up to 10cm falling through the day.

“That snow will carry on, pushing north and east so it will cover all of England by the end of the day and even parts of southern Scotland."

Drivers urged to take care on the roads

The Highways Agency has issued an amber alert and has placed ploughs and snow blowers on stand-by.

Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency's National Traffic Operations Centre, urged drivers to allow more time for morning travel.

"During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential," he added.

"They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve and to allow our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads."

Public transport will be disrupted

Southeastern is warning passengers that heavy snow and icy weather conditions forecast for tomorrow are likely to affect train services.

Passengers are advised to check for live travel information before travelling and allow additional time when making a journey.

And Southern will be running an amended timetable tomorrow because of the wintry conditions.

Send us your wintry pictures and videos

If the white stuff does fall in the News Shopper area email your snow pictures and videos

Also, if you know of any travel disruption or schools being closed contact us

You can also text us at 80360 starting your message with NEWS SHOPPER