Snow is “likely” to fall across Essex later today according to weather forecasters.

The Essex Weather Centre says sleet and snow currently falling in Suffolk is set to drift over into Essex today bringing a potentially heavy snowfall as well as gusty winds.

Residents will have to keep warm as the weather is bringing with it northerly winds and temperatures only getting a few degrees over freezing.

A spokesman for the group said: “Good morning. Sleet and snow showers across Suffolk are likely to drift into Essex at times today, perhaps heavy with gusty winds at times. Feeling cold with keen northerly winds. Highs of 6C.”

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Meanwhile a chilly night is in store as wintry showers are expected to continue into this evening, while becoming drier in coastal regions, and temperatures plummeting to -3°C inland and -2°C on the coasts which will generate a widespread frost.

While not the barmy conditions many experienced last weekend temperatures will increase to around 9°C but are unlikely to improve significantly until Tuesday next week. 

Snow has already been falling in parts of Colchester and parts of north Essex this morning, with more expected throughout the day.