Forecasters say snow could hit Blackburn and other parts of East Lancashire later this month.

According to BBC Weather, snow is set to hit Blackburn next week.

The Met Office says “frequent wintry showers” are expected adding that snow is “likely to fall” in the north.

Forecasters say “light snow showers” are forecast on Friday, November 22, in Blackburn. Temperatures are also predicted to plummet to -1°C. Sleet has been forecast on Saturday. It is a similar forecast in Hyndburn.

In Darwen, light snow showers are been forecast on Saturday, November 23.

In Burnley, snow is forecast to hit on Tuesday, November 19 and Friday, November 23, with sunny spells and rain forecast for the rest of the week.

Snow is set to hit Rossendale on Friday and Saturday, next week. In the Ribble Valley, light snow showers have been forecast on Tuesday.

Snow forecast in Blackburn, according to BBC Weather appSnow forecast in Blackburn, according to BBC Weather app (Image: BBC Weather) In Pendle, a mixture of rain and sleet has been forecast next week. At the time of writing, snow was not forecast.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Frequent wintry showers are expected, mainly in the north and along eastern and western coasts where exposed to the strong north to northwesterly flow.

“Snow is likely to fall to low levels, especially in the north. The chance of any widespread or disruptive snowfall affecting more populated areas at this stage remains low though. Cold everywhere with overnight frost, and the strong winds will result in significant wind chill.”

According to the Met Office, snow is defined as 'solid precipitation which occurs in a variety of minute ice crystals at temperatures well below 0 °C but as larger snowflakes at temperatures near 0 °C.' It is one of the UK's most striking weather phenomena causing a transformation of the world around us, but it can also lead to the potential for disruption.

How does snow form?

Snow forms when tiny ice crystals in clouds stick together to become snowflakes. If enough crystals stick together, they'll become heavy enough to fall to the ground.

Snowflakes that descend through moist air that is slightly warmer than 0 °C will melt around the edges and stick together to produce big flakes. Snowflakes that fall through cold, dry air produce powdery snow that does not stick together.

Snow is formed when temperatures are low and there is moisture in the atmosphere in the form of tiny ice crystals.

How cold does it have to be to snow?

Precipitation falls as snow when the air temperature is below 2 °C. It is a myth that it needs to be below zero to snow. In fact, in this country, the heaviest snowfalls tend to occur when the air temperature is between zero and 2 °C. The falling snow does begin to melt as soon as the temperature rises above freezing, but as the melting process begins, the air around the snowflake is cooled.

Snowfall can be defined as 'slight,' 'moderate' or 'heavy'. When combined with strong winds, a snowfall can create blizzards and drifts.

If the temperature is warmer than 2 °C then the snowflake will melt and fall as sleet rather than snow, and if it's warmer still, it will be rain.