HEAVY snow is being reported across parts of Cumbria but South Lakeland continues to escape.

There have been flurries in Kendal and surrounding villages, and reports of two inches in Dent and an inch in Sedbergh but none so far in Kirkby Lonsdale.

The North Pennines seem to lay in the path of where the Met Office forecast the heaviest snow will fall in the region today.

Schools in Brough and Dent in Cumbria are already closed, along with Kirkby Stephen Primary and Kirkby Stephen grammar.

Appleby is also experiencing snow with the Appleby Creamery reporting: "Plenty of the white stuff here but we are shut because we've got no milk."

Snow has also been reported in Workington and the West of Cumbria, but in places like Carnforth in North Lancashire it has been sleet.

The Met Office forecast for Kendal - updated at 8am this morning - is suggesting the area is on an amber warning of snow up until at least 9pm tonight.

Amber warnings are where the Met Office warn people to 'be prepared'.
 

However, forecast maps show the Kendal and South Lakes area on a less serious yellow warning of 'be aware.'

The A66 between Brough and Bowes is closed due to snow.

Mountaineer Alan Hinkes, a regular watcher of the weather, reported on Twitter that there had been one inch of snow in Patterdale next to Ullswater, with temperatures hovering at around 1C.

He also said a gritter or plough had cleared the road but suggested Kirkstone Pass may be closed.

"Good for snowmen etc," he tweeted.

You can follow our blog of live snow updates and if you're on Twitter and if you have any snow pics or can report snow in your area, drop us a line at @gazettenewsdesk or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/westmorlandgazette