FIRST the snow, now comes the ice… Warnings of potentially treacherous icy roads have been issued with the mercury set to plunge below zero this evening.

Police say melting snow could freeze on the roads as the temperature begins to plummet after sunset.

This morning’s unexpected levels of snow mean the county’s roads are set to remain slushy and slippery throughout the day.

Dorset proved to be the worst hit area of England as up to up to six inches of snow fell in parts of the county this morning.

Forecasters admit they were caught unawares by the severity of the blizzard conditions.

The snow blocked roads and vehicles were abandoned as major routes were badly hit.

The A35 was closed eastbound between Bere Regis and the Baker’s Arms roundabout, while fallen trees blocked the Puddletown Road near Monkey World and the A350 near Lytchett Matravers.

West Dorset was particularly badly affected, with the A35 west of Dorchester closed and the A37 Dorchester to Yeovil route also shut.

All major routes have now re-opened.

Tonight’s temperature is expected to drop to a low of –1C.

Police advise drivers to drive with “extreme caution” tonight, keeping speed down, leaving plenty of distance between vehicles and allowing extra time for journeys.

More than 50 schools have shut for the day, including most of Purbeck’s schools, while power cuts have blacked out the Tarrants, east of Blandford.

Many Purbeck villages were cut off by the snow, with people unable to get to work.

Echo photographer, Corin Messer said he woke up to “a canvass of snow” in West Lulworth this morning, unable to see the road surface. South West Trains services between Weymouth to Bournemouth were delayed up to 45 minutes this morning, though Bournemouth Airport remains unaffected by the snow.

Wilts and Dorset bus services were affected by slow-moving traffic, but all routes are now running to time, though the number 40 between Swanage and Poole is running via Harman’s Cross because of slippery conditions on Kingston Hill.

South West Trains had frozen points between Weymouth and Bournemouth and there were replacement buses and the service has returned to normal.

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