WILL Dorset see the first snowfall of winter this weekend?

Bournemouth-based weather enthusiast Dorset Snow said sleet or snow could be possible between 1pm and 9pm today and issued a yellow ‘wintry watch’ alert.

Read more: Sleet or snow showers could be seen in Dorset tomorrow

He said: “Saturday will bring the first wintry shower risk of the season as more unstable air flow establishes itself across southern England.

"The first batch of showers is expected to move in from the Bristol Channel just after midday and affect parts of east Devon, Somerset and west Dorset.

“There is some uncertainty as to how far inland these showers will make it.

“Later in the afternoon, a more organised area of sleet or snow will track across the English Channel.

“This precipitation may fall as sleet for immediate coastal areas and there is also some uncertainty as to how far inland this will push.

“There is the chance that some areas see a dusting of snow in the heaviest bursts.”

Read more: IN PICTURES: It's so cold Bournemouth beach has frozen

He said a weather chart suggested 3 to 10cm of snow could also be seen in Dorset on Sunday in what was becoming a “likely” scenario.

A “severe cold alert” will be in place until Friday, December 16.

Read more: SWEP launched in BCP to give support to homeless during cold

The Met Office forecast for this weekend for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole:

Saturday, December 10

Fog changing to sunny by late morning

6am – clear, minus 8C, feels like minus 10C

9am – cloudy, minus 4C, feels like minus 5C

12pm – sunny, 3C, feels like 2C

3pm – sunny, 3C, feels like 2C

6pm – clear, minus 3C, feels like minus 4C

9pm – misty, minus 5C, feels like minus 7C

Sunday, December 11

6am – fog, minus 4C, feels like minus 6C

9am – mist, minus 2C, feels like minus 4C

12pm – overcast, 2C, feels like 0C

3pm – cloudy, 2C, feels like 0C

6pm – cloudy, minus 1C, feels like minus 4C

9pm – overcast, minus 3C, feels like minus 7C