AN AMBER alert has now been issued as Siberian winds and heavy rain and snow heading are set to hit Somerset.

Rain and snow is forecast for Saturday while the warning is in place for Sunday – from 12am until 11.55pm.

The warning comes after the Beast from the East and Storm Emma combined to bring deep snow and blizzards to the UK a fortnight ago.

The Met Office's chief forecaster, said: "A weather system is expected to run west along the English Channel and bring a spell of snow to southwest Britain on Sunday, clearing from the east during the afternoon.

"As less cold air follows from the south, snow may turn to rain along the south coast of Devon and Cornwall.

"There is the potential for 5-10 cm of snow to fall quite widely, and 15-25 cm over higher ground. However, there remains uncertainty in how this system will develop and its impacts."

Weather warnings for snow and ice will be in place from Friday for the East Midlands and North East has temperatures are set to drop well below freezing.