Drivers in North West told to brace for snow under yellow weather warning
The Met Office are warning some roads and railways likely to be affected
Commuters across the North West are being warned that their journeys might be affected by snow and ice this morning.
The Met office have issued a yellow warning for "disruptive snow", ice and cold temperatures over the coming days.
Up to 20cm of snow may accumulate in the worst affected areas in the country's "first taste of winter", according to the forecaster.
The weather warnings for snow and ice for parts of the UK that began on Sunday afternoon and are in place until Tuesday morning, but said there is "potential" for warnings to be "escalated".
The warning came into force at 7pm on Monday and is in place until 10am on today - covering the North West
Within the affected areas, there is a chance of power cuts, disruption to road and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice, the weather service said.
Dean Murray is an Operations Manager for National Highways North West. He has this advice for drivers: "Plan your journeys, take that extra time and do not be encouraged to rush at any point.
"Preparations are important, make sure you are fueled up and certainly make sure you have got warm clothing in the car and maybe a flask with you in case you do break down or you are delayed at some point."
Dean adds: "It's going to continue be cold and frosty throughout the week, remember its not just snow that's an issue, you've got ice as well so people should continue to be careful.
"The temptation may be that once they've seen the snow clear to maybe think that everything is is okay.
"We'll be continually gritting the road surfaces as we go along but obviously some icy conditions may be less visible.
Tom Morgan, Met Office meteorologist, said: "We could see some disruptive snow in the Pennine regions, in particular, the Peak District as well, especially Monday night, but we could well see some impacts lasting on until Tuesday morning's rush hour.
"Even down to lower levels, we could well see some snow as well, so quite a bit of disruption possible by Tuesday morning, and then the week ahead is likely to stay cold nationwide, a windy day on Tuesday, and then winter showers through the week ahead."
Mr Morgan said that despite a "mild" start to the month, the cold conditions are more typical of "mid-winter to late-winter".
"What we can say is that it's going to be very cold for the for the time of year, there will be widespread overnight frosts, and a few locations where there's snow on the ground," he continued.
The meteorologist said the public can best prepare for the wintry weather by checking their cars are suitable for icy and potentially snowy conditions and to take extra supplies including food, blankets and a fully-charged mobile phone with them on journeys.
He added that there was "likely" to be changes to the weather warnings in the coming days, and that "winter flurries" could be seen in the south of England later in the week.
Despite the cold conditions, the "whole of the UK" will enjoy more sunshine this week, the meteorologist added.
He said: "There'll be some snow showers in the peripheries of the UK, particularly northern Scotland, and down the east and the west coast, but if you live inland and you live in the south, there'll be lots of sparkly blue skies on the most days through Tuesday to Friday."