DORSET residents are being warned to brace themselves for a change in the weather.

Temperatures are set to plummet tonight, Friday, November 24, and lows of -1c are expected in some parts of Dorset, with temperatures feeling like -3c, the Met Office says. 

This will be the first widespread frost of autumn for much of England and Wales and a further cold spell is forecast next week in the county.

It will remain predominantly dry tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, November 25, with any showery rain confined to the east coast.

Wetter interludes will move in from the west and north on Sunday bringing rain for many through Sunday afternoon and Monday morning before clearing to the south and southeast on Monday afternoon.

It will turn colder again through Monday evening with temperatures hovering just about freezing in south Dorset and a return to overnight frosts in north Dorset. Conditions will also be largely dry.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, said: “Early next week, following a brief more unsettled interlude, we expect to see a return to widely cold but quiet conditions."

There is potential for snow in the north and east of the UK around the turn of the month (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday), the Met Office says.