AN ice warning has been issued for parts of north Dorset as temperatures plunge.

The yellow warning will be in force from 3.30pm until midnight tonight.

The Met Office says that icy surfaces are possible for a time on Friday evening and overnight which would lead to “potentially tricky conditions”.

The warning area includes Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham.

Bournemouth Echo:

Read more: Will Dorset see snow? What we could expect today

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Early wintry showers in the north, and rain, sleet and hill snow further south will leave surfaces cold and wet by early evening.

“Clear spells for a time will allow ice to form in places, particularly for evening commuters, before temperatures trend up after midnight. The warning area highlights areas considered most likely to see ice.”

According to the Met Office forecast, it will feel like -3C in Shaftesbury at 7pm and 8pm with it feeling like below 0C up until midnight.

In terms of what to expect, the Met Office says icy patches could form on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths and where these occur, there's an increased likelihood of accidents or injuries.

Earlier this week, temperatures started off at around 14C in Dorset on what was the warmest start to the year on record.