The Met Office has extended its weather warning for East Lancashire and said heavy snow and ‘blizzard-like’ conditions could be expected later this week.

A yellow weather warning for heavy snow is in place across all parts of Lancashire from 7am on Thursday (March 9) until 2pm on Friday.

According to the Met Office the snow has the potential to cause disruption and people have been told to expect possible travel delays, power cuts and poor mobile phone coverage.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Heavy snow has the potential to cause significant disruption on Thursday and Friday.

"Significant snow accumulations are possible over hills of northern England (including populated areas of South and West Yorkshire), Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.

"Here, 10 to 15cm is expected quite widely above 100 metres, with a chance that 25 to 40cm could fall in some places.

“Additionally, there is potential for strong winds and blizzard conditions are likely, especially over higher grounds.

"Ice will be an additional hazard for many through the week, with sub-zero temperatures creating some hazardous travel conditions."

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a level three cold weather alert for the whole of England, which is in place from Wednesday March 8 until 9am on Monday, March 13.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18°C if you can.’’

East Lancashire’s Met Office forecast

Snow is predicted in all East Lancashire towns this week.

In Blackburn with Darwen Burnley, the Ribble Valley, Pendle, Hyndburn and Rossendale snow is forecast throughout the day on Thursday and again on Friday morning.

Temperatures are expected to dip as low as -6°C with the coldest day forecast to be Friday.

Here is Blackburn with Darwen’s detailed forecast:

  • Thursday, March 9: Yellow weather warning. Light snow predicted at 12pm turning heavier at 5pm. Highs of 2°C and lows of 0°C.
  • Friday, March 10: Yellow weather warning. Light snow predicted from midnight until 9am. Turning sunny in the afternoon. Highs of 4°C and lows of -5°C.
  • Saturday, March 11: Cloudy changing to sleet. Highs of 4°C and lows of 2°C.
  • Sunday, March 12: Light rain changing to cloudy. Highs of 9°C and lows of 6°C.