SNOW is falling across Dorset this evening after the Met Office upgraded its weather warning.

An amber alert - which says "heavy snow likely" - was issued for Bournemouth, Poole and the rest of the county.

Bournemouth Echo:

The warning is in force until 9pm tonight.

Residents in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and other parts of Dorset have been reporting snowfall, which has been settling as the evening progresses.

Heavy snow is forecast overnight and is due to ease off by around 7am on Friday.

The Met Office says between 3 and 7cm is "likely" to accumulate within two to three hours with as much as 10cm expected in some places.

A spokesperson said: "A band of rain will arrive from the southwest on Thursday afternoon, quickly turning to snow and becoming heavy at times. 3 to 7 cm is likely to accumulate quickly - 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."

Video: Met Office

A yellow warning from 1pm today until 1pm tomorrow also remains in force. 

Last night temperatures plunged to minus 8.2C in Bournemouth. 

Dorset County Council has said it has 25 gritting vehicles and 100 staff on standby for "continuous runs" over the next 48 hours.

Vehicles will also be fitted with ploughs for snow clearance later today.

Bournemouth council and Borough of Poole said they had been out gritting this morning in preparation for this afternoon's weather and would "continue to keep a close eye on it."

Some bus services have already been affected, and Morebus has said it will be updating customers on its routes from 6am tomorrow.

The 40 services due to leave Swanage at 9.55pm and Poole at 11pm will be unable to operate.

Chris Regan, of Highways England, said: “Gritters are out treating our routes around the clock but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast.

“If you need to travel in the afternoon, make sure you keep your distance and reduce your speed because, even in conditions that seem normal and the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh salt has not been worked into the carriageway.

“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel if they really need to travel. We would however encourage drivers across the region to think about how they might return home this afternoon before the snow affects their journey.”

Dorset County Council has cancelled its transportation services for tomorrow due to the weather forecast which includes contract school buses, special educational needs vehicles and taxis. 

Lytchett Minster School is among the schools closed tomorrow "due to Dorset County Council’s decision to cancel all school buses". 

The Year 10 Parents’ Evening scheduled for this evening was also cancelled. 

Bournemouth School for Girls cancelled all after school clubs and activities today. 

Sandbanks Ferry announced its services are suspended this evening due to the weather.

And rail passengers on South Western Railway network are being advised to check before they travel tomorrow morning, with overnight snow and freezing conditions forecast across the route.

Some first train services tomorrow morning may also be cancelled while work to check and clear the tracks is completed.

Dorset last saw disruptive snow last March during the Beast from the East.

More follows.