FRESH weather warnings have been issued for Cumbria as the Met Office asks the county to brace for snow and ice over the coming days.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued across western parts of the county until 10am on Thursday.

The Met Office said: "Icy stretches will lead to some difficult travelling conditions."

The public are warned to expect some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths as well as some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

The warning is set to affect western parts of the county including towns such as Workington, Whitehaven, Millom, Ulverston and Barrow in Furness throughout tonight into tomorrow.

In a statement the Met Office said: "Icy stretches are expected to form on untreated surfaces during Wednesday evening and overnight into Thursday as temperatures drop below freezing. A few sleet or snow showers are also likely at times, particularly close to coasts."

Further warnings are also in place for the whole of Cumbria over the weekend with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for rain and snow throughout Saturday and Sunday.

The Met Office said: "Heavy rain is likely cause some travel disruption and flooding this weekend.

"A deep area of low pressure is expected to bring a spell of prolonged and, at times, heavy rainfall across a large part of the UK this weekend. Across Wales and western England, rain and hill snow is expected to develop during the early hours of Saturday morning before falling as rain to all levels by late morning and continuing through to early Sunday morning."

What to expect:

  • Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads
  • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
  • Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
  • Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life
  • Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible