An amber weather-health alert has been issued for Blackburn and other parts of the north west, as Lancashire braces for plunging temperatures and heavy snow.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold-health alert for the health sector covering the north west of England, which is in place until December 5, at 12pm.

With an amber alert, “significant impacts” are said to be probable across the health and social care sector due to the cold weather.

This may lead to an increase in health issues for those aged 65 and above or those with underlying health conditions.

In Blackburn and other parts of East Lancashire, heavy snow has been forecast by the BBC this weekend.

At the time of writing, BBC Weather predict heavy snow will hit Blackburn on Sunday, December 3, with further wintry conditions on Monday.

Temperatures are set to plummet, with lows of -4°C predicted.

Met Office chief meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: “There has been some uncertainty in the atmospheric weather patterns for the coming days, however, confidence in the forecast is improving and there is a reducing chance of snow for southern areas of the UK, although there is still a chance we may see some sleety wintry showers over higher ground in areas.

“Northern and northeastern areas of the UK in the moist north / northeasterly airflow continue to see a chance of snow or sleet. Yellow weather warnings have been issued for snow and ice across parts of the UK.”

According to the Met Office, snowfall in late autumn or early winter doesn’t generally linger because ground temperatures broadly remain relatively high, especially compared with values in late winter, after the ground loses more of its warmth.