Rare amber warning for snow issued for Devon and Cornwall by Met Office

Roads begin to white-out once more in Dartmoor National Park as a fresh batch of snow falls in the South West of the UK near Two Bridges, Dartmoor, Devon.
An amber warning for snow has been issued for Devon and Cornwall by the Met Office. Credit: PA

A rare amber warning for snow has been issued across Devon and Cornwall with immediate effect.

Snow has fallen across large parts of the region, including Dartmoor, forcing some schools to close and road restrictions on the A38 motorway.

A yellow weather warning was already in place for the South West but the Met Office has since upgraded this.

Almost all of Dartmoor is included in the amber warning, as is Exmoor, Chudleigh, Cullompton and Honiton.

The Met Office has warned travel disruption is expected as a result of the snow. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Roads Police

It extends as far north as Lynton, as far west as Launceston and as far east as Wellington and Taunton in Somerset.

The amber warning is in place until 9pm tonight (January 8).

The Met Office has warned travel disruption is likely, with some rural communities at risk of being cut off.

Devon and Cornwall Police have urged motorists to only travel if absolutely necessary.

'Travel delays and disruption likely' - Met Office

"A spell of snow will result in travel disruption on Wednesday afternoon and evening," the Met Office said.

"Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers. Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.

"There is a chance that some rural communities could become cut off. Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely."

This week is expected to see the coldest nights of the year, with temperatures potentially reaching -14C on Wednesday night and -16C on Thursday night in northern parts of England and Scotland.