A SEVERE warning for snow is has been put into place for Monday.

National forecaster The Met Office issued the yellow warning, which means residents should ‘be aware’ and said winds would hit blast at up to 50mph on the hills.

A spokesman said: “The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to travel and for hazardous driving conditions at times.”

Snow at depths of up to 15cm can be expected over higher ground, although frequent hail and sleet showers are also expected, the Met Office said.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had its gritters out on Friday night for the first time in almost a week after temperatures were due to fall below freezing.

Earlier this week, the council warned of a ‘prolonged period’ of bad weather, with forecasters predicting ‘cyclonic weather including severe gales and snow’.

However, respected local weather expert, Roy Chetham, said the chances of an Arctic freeze were as little as ten per cent.