Forecasters say parts of Dorset could be hit by heavy snowfall this evening

Keep your eyes on high ground this evening as forecasters say showers will turn increasingly wintry with snow perhaps settling over the hills.

Coastal areas including Weymouth, Portland and Bridport are set to be hit by sleet showers from 9pm, continuing into the morning - but inland some showers will be wintry and could see parts of the county covered in the white stuff. 

Heavy snow is forecast in Beaminster, Blandford Forum and Sherborne from 9pm, continuing through the night, but as it is preceded by rain it is unlikely to stick. 

Dorchester could see snow, but only for those up late, with heavy snowfall forecast at midnight, tapering off at 3am. 

Light snow showers are predicted across Purbeck from 9pm. 

Across the south-west, the weather is due to be bitterly cold today with sunny spells and frequent showers with a risk of hail and thunder.

The maximum temperature will be 7C.

Throghout the night it will remain windy with gales or severe gales, especially in the far southwest and temperature could drop as low as 1C.

Tomorrow will be cold, with strong winds easing and wintry showers steadily reducing and largely turning back to rain.

A yellow weather warning for snow, ice and wind has been issued for parts of the south-west including north Dorset and parts of West Dorset.

A spokesman from 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." 

Highways England is advising drivers to take care and be prepared for strong gales and wintry showers in the South West over the next 48 hours.

Motorists, particularly those driving high-sided HGVS, caravans and motorcycles, are advised to check the weather and driving conditions before setting out on journeys and pay particular attention to exposed locations such as coastal and high lying areas and bridges which could be affected by the high winds.

Sean Dowding, Operations Manager in Highways England’s South West region, said: “With rain turning into hail and potentially snow, we’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys.

“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down and drive to the conditions.

“Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space. In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow signed diversion routes.”