Heavy and persistent snow could hit Preston and much of the north of England to bring in the New Year, according to a new warning from the Met Office.

A yellow weather warning for snow has been issued for Preston, as well as much of Cumbria, Lancashire and the North West, on New Year’s Day.

The warning runs from 9am on New Year’s Day (1 January) and will be in place until 3am on Thursday (2 January).

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A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “A band of rain in association with a deep low pressure system moving in from the west pushes east on Wednesday.

“This is likely to turn to snow as it moves into cold air across the northern half of the UK. 2-5 cm and locally nearer 10 cm of snow accumulations are possible widely, with 10-15 cm and locally 20-25 cm over hills with significant drifting due to strong winds.”

The Met Office added that more warnings are likely as the New Year comes closer and confidence in the forecast increases.

Tony Wisson, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Later in the week, wintry showers are likely to be a feature of the forecast as a cold northerly flow becomes established.”

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