Amber weather warning in place for Lancashire as snow and ice hits

An amber warning for snow is in place until 1pm today (Tuesday, February 2) across the east of the county, including Burnley and Blackburn.

People are being warning to expect travel delays and cancelations, power cuts with up to eight centimetres of snow forecast in some places.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is also in place across the rest of the county.

Forecasters warn the wintry weather, which was predicted to hit from 10pm yesterday (February 1) until 11.59pm today (February 2), is likely to bring travel disruption, power cuts and a chance of injuries from slips and falls.

The warning covers large parts of the county, including Preston, Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk, Burnley, Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Morecambe, South Ribble, Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

The Fylde coast, including Blackpool, Lytham, Fleetwood, as well as Southport, are not covered by the warning.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "As rain pushes northeast and comes into contact with cold air, it will readily turn to snow away from eastern coastal districts.

"1-3 cm of snow is likely across some low ground, with 5-10 cm in places across southern Scotland and above 150 m over northern England.

"20 cm of snow could affect the highest level routes (above 300-400m), where drifting and temporary blizzard conditions may occur.

"Snow is likely to to turn to rain later on Tuesday across much of northern England.

"As well as snow, some freezing rain is possible for parts of northern England. Should this occur widespread icy stretches would form."

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