THE MET Office have triggered an amber alert warning of cold weather in Dorset over the next few days - and it includes snow.

The Met Office states there is a 90 per cent probability of severe cold weather in the whole of the south west, lasting until 12pm on Friday, February 12.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "The cold spell is expected to continue this week, with outbreaks of snow across eastern and central England. Otherwise, it will be mostly dry and bright, but very cold with hard overnight frosts, particularly on Wednesday night.

"Later on Thursday and into Friday bands of rain, sleet and snow will probably begin to make their way into western and southwestern England, bringing an increased possibility of disruptive snowfall here. Cold air will remain in central and eastern areas with frost and ice likely."

The amber alert is the second highest alert that can be issued with a red ‘national emergency’ alert the most serious.

Temperatures are set to drop this week across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with lows of -2C expected from Tuesday, February 9. 

Snow is expected later in the week across the south west.

Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly, said: “Later in the week there is a chance of more organised snow affecting some western and southwestern parts of the country as Atlantic frontal systems push into the cold air.

"There is a lot of uncertainty regarding which areas are may see snow, but for now, southwest England, south Wales and Northern Ireland look most prone."