THE cold weather is set to continue this week with a “feels like” temperature of just 0C predicted by Wednesday.

A level 2 cold weather alert is currently in place for the South West with a 70% probability of freezing conditions.

The yellow alert is triggered by the Met Office when severe cold weather is likely to significantly affect people's health.

The alerts take account of temperature along with other winter weather threats such as ice and snow.

There are currently no warnings in place for snow or ice but conditions are set to be colder than average for the rest of the week.

Gritters will take to the roads tonight with major routes in the Dorset County Council area being treated from 7pm with the mercury set to drop to -1C. 

Borough of Poole will be treating priority roads from 6.30pm. 

There will be sunny spells and highs of 5C predicted for Tuesday, but it will feel like -2C until 10am. 

Wednesday will be cloudy but it will feel no warmer than -1C

Fog is likely on Thursday morning during the rush-hour but again it will feel cold with temperatures feeling like -2C up until 9am and then 2C around 3pm.

There will be rain on Friday afternoon with temperatures feeling like 5C.

Last week, the Met Office predicted snow for Dorset for Sunday afternoon but the warning was cancelled on Saturday.

However, ice caused havoc on the roads at the weekend with police forced to close the A35 Upton Bypass after early morning rain turned it into a skating rink.

There were several accidents on the stretch between the Bakers Arms and the A350 fire station roundabout and the stretch was closed for several hours.