SNOW fell across the county in what is believed to be the most widespread since 2018. 

Much of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole saw heavy snowfall during Thursday morning, November 21, but it failed to stick due to earlier rain. 

But it was the rest of the county that saw the most snow fall and stick to the ground – including West Moors, Ferndown, Corfe Mullen, Bere Regis and Blandford. 

The Mett Office issued a yellow snow alert for the whole county that lasted until 5pm on Thursday, and a yellow ice alert has been issued until 10am on Friday, November 22. 

PamphillPamphill (Image: By Sophie Photography) BurleyBurley (Image: Simon Rowley ) New Forest poniesNew Forest ponies (Image: Andy Pattenden) Dorset roadDorset road (Image: Mazz Blehs) New ForestNew Forest (Image: Hang Ross) Bournemouth beachBournemouth beach (Image: ZacharyCulpin/BNPS)

A spokesman said: “Icy stretches are expected to form on untreated surfaces during Thursday evening and overnight into Friday morning as temperatures drop below freezing.   

“A few wintry showers are also likely at times, particularly across the far west of the warning area, which may give a further one to two cm snowfall above 200 metres.” 

Schools across the Dorset Council area were closed for the day, including on this side of the county Milborne St Andrew First School, Blandford, Bere Regis Community School, Bere Regis, Lulworth & Winfrith Primary School, West Lulworth and Lytchett Matravers Primary School, Wareham Road. 

Meanwhile, Dorset HealthCare warned that some of its services had been affected by the snow. 

A spokesman said: "Some routine home visits or clinics may need to be postponed or carried out in a different way. We will contact any patients who are affected to make arrangements. 

"If people are due to travel to an outpatient appointment with us today and have not been contacted by staff to postpone it, they should plan their journey carefully and travel to us only if safe to do so. Any missed appointments will be rearranged.” 

BCP Council also had to cancel its Carer’s Rights event, which aims to inform unpaid carers, individuals who voluntarily provide essential care and support for a friend or family member, of their rights. 

A spokesman said: “Unfortunately, due to today’s snow and ice, we’ve taken the decision to cancel the Carers Rights event at AFC Bournemouth.  

“We do not want residents travelling unnecessarily in such conditions.” 

To see more photographs, see pages 20 and 21.