A SNOW warning issued for parts of Hampshire has been extended to cover Southampton and the New Forest.

The Met Office had predicted possible snowfall in northern parts of the county tonight and into Wednesday morning.

But the weather experts now say southern areas of the county, including Southampton, could be hit with snow – and it could even be "heavy at times".

A separate yellow warning, of rain turning to snow, has been issued for the east of the county, including the New Forest.

A statement on the Met Office website said: "Snow, possibly heavy at times, developing overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday – turning icy.

Daily Echo:

"There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel."

The Met Office has warned of a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off and a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.

It has also warned of potential black ice and slip hazards.

Meanwhile, a separate yellow warning has been issued for parts of the New Forest and Dorset.

The Met Office are warning of rain turning to snow, especially on hills, then turning icy.

Over the weekend, the Met Office issued a snow warning for the north of the county, including parts of the Winchester district, as well as Andover and Basingstoke.

Last year, Hampshire was blanketed by snow after a combination of cold weather patterns combined over the county.

Ice-cold Siberian winds, known as the Beast from the East, buffeted the county, turning a storm from the south into a heavy layer of snow.

Daily Echo:

(A PCSO enjoying the snow from the Beast from the East last year - picture by Alison Peake)

The unusual weather pattern caused traffic chaos across Hampshire and a long list of school closures.