THE Met Office has extended and updated its weather warning for Dorset with snow and ice now set to cause possible disruption into Thursday.

A yellow weather warning will now be in force for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the rest of the county from midnight on Wednesday until 9am on Thursday, March 9.

The Met Office said there is a chance some places south of the M4 could see snow accumulations of 5 to 10cm in a few hours on Wednesday evening.

Earlier in the day, between 1cm and 3cm of snow could be seen more widely.

The Met Office said as snow clears on Wednesday night, clearing skies will result in ice developing on untreated surfaces with impacts lingering into Thursday morning.

In terms of what to expect, the Met Office says:

  • Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
  • Bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible
  • Some rural communities could become temporarily cut off
  • Power cuts may occur and other services may be temporarily affected
  • Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable with a chance of injuries from slips and falls on snow-covered or icy surfaces

Previously, the Met Office had issued a weather of snow for the county from midnight on Wednesday until 11.59pm the same day.