Bolton is set to be a snowy winter wonderland on Thursday as the Met Office forecasts a band of heavy snow which could cause disruption - with as much as 20cm possible in higher areas.

Temperatures will drop as the week goes on, with a yellow snow warning issued which covers Bolton and the whole of Greater Manchester, much of Wales as well as northern and central England, the Met Office said.

The warning runs from 6am on Thursday, February 8, to 6am on Friday, February 9.

According to the Met Office there is a risk of power cuts, travel delays and some rural communities becoming cut off.

There is uncertainty with respect to the rain-snow boundary, and the northern limit of the snow, the Met Office said.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond said: “While the early part of this week will see some rain, at times heavy, gradually sinking southwards, there’s an increased signal for wintry hazards as we move through the week as cold air from the north moves over the UK.

“It’s from Thursday that the snow risk becomes more potentially impactful, as mild air attempts to move back in from the south, bumping into the cold air and increasing the chance of snow developing on the leading edge.

“While there are still lots of details to work out, the initial snow risk looks highest in northern England and Wales from Thursday.”

Further warnings for ice could also be issued later in the week as temperatures drop below average for this time of year, the forecaster said.

The Bolton News: Yellow weather warning issued by the Met OfficeYellow weather warning issued by the Met Office (Image: Met Office)

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Overview of the weather forecast for Bolton on Thursday, February 8:

There will be highs of 3°C and lows of 2°C, the sun will rise at 7.44am and the sun will set at 5.05pm.

6AM: Cloudy, 2°C, wind gusts of 20 miles per hour.

9AM: Light snow, 1°C, wind gusts of 24 miles per hour.

12PM: Heavy snow, 2°C, wind gusts of 28 miles per hour.

3PM: Heavy snow, 2°C, wind gusts of 33 miles per hour.

6PM: Sleet, 2°C, wind gusts of 37 miles per hour.

9PM: Overcast, 2°C, wind gusts of 38 miles per hour.

Going into Friday there will be highs of 6°C and lows of 4°C, the sun will rise at 7.42am and the sun will set at 5.07pm.

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