Snow reaches Cumbria as forecasters warn of disruption (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Snow reaches Cumbria as forecasters warn of disruption

11:20am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

SNOW has started falling in parts of Cumbria as forecasters predict up to 5cm could blanket lower levels of the county over the next 24 hours.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team wrote on Facebook: "Lots of snow now falling at all levels, please do not drive the mountain passes."

Cumbria Police closed 'The Struggle' between Ambleside and the Kirkstone Pass Inn and urged drivers not to risk using the route.

A Met Office spokesman told the Gazette on Friday that 'significant snowfall' could affect parts of the Lake District on Monday with 10cm of the white stuff over higher ground.

But wintry showers have already reached northern and eastern parts of Cumbria with snowfall expected elsewhere by this afternoon.

After fizzling out tonight, a second band of snow is expected on Monday for a time, before clearing.

The wintry blast is pushing southwards from Scotland and could disrupt travel on Monday morning, the spokesman explained.

In addition, temperatures are set to plummet as low as -8 degrees Celcius in parts causing difficult driving conditions.

The Met Office has a yellow warning for snow in place for the whole of the North West of England.

"The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to travel, particularly during rush hour on Monday for many people," the spokesman said.

"Keep up to date with warnings and give yourself plenty of time to really assess the situation."

The Westmorland Gazette is re-running its online Grit Watch service to allow you to tell us if your roads are not being gritted.

Use this page to let us know if roads in your area are not being treated or if your salt bin is empty.

If you spot a problem, email newsdesk@kendal.newsquest.co.uk or tweet us using the hashtag #WGgrit