YELLOW weather warnings have been issued as snow is predicted to hit Worcester and surrounding areas today.

Between 1pm today and 1pm tomorrow snow and ice are expected to affect Worcester, according to the Met Office.

Possible travel delays on roads are expected along with delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

There is an amber severe weather warning for snow in parts of the South West and South Wales this evening.

The snow could be heavy at times and around 3 to 7 cm could settle within two to three hours, with up to 10 cm in some places. The highest snowfall accumulations are likely to be in areas above 150 metres or so.

The Met Office's Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: “As well as the amber warning there are still yellow snow and ice warnings in place for a wider area across the southern England and Wales and for the east of the UK and northern Scotland. This snow and ice could be disruptive causing delays to travel.

Snow amounts will vary within the warning areas with some places seeing very little”.  

A Met Office spokesman added: "It will stay cold or very cold overnight tonight with another widespread frost expected on Friday morning, and again ice and snow on the ground could cause disruption to travel.

"The snow will gradually clear through Friday and early heavy showers in some English Channel coastal areas will also pull away. Another widespread frost follows for Saturday morning."

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The message to drivers from this latest forecast is to be on guard – warnings of the risk of disruption from either snow or ice cover almost much of the UK, which means drivers could be caught out just about anywhere.

“With conditions on the roads likely to deteriorate quickly it is vital drivers are ready to adapt their driving style.

"Drivers should take particular care on untreated surfaces, and it’s a good idea to travel with an emergency pack – consisting of things like spare warm clothes, food and drink and a mobile phone powerpack – in case of a breakdown.”