BURY is likely to see severe wintry showers this week, with the possibility of snow falling across higher ground and disruption to travel and power lines.

Temperatures in Bury will plunge to below freezing on Wednesday evening as Arctic air moves south.

Sleet showers are forecast for Thursday with wind chill making the temperature feel as a low as minus three degrees Celsius during the day.

Lightning may also accompany the heaviest showers.

Steven Keates, from the Met Office, said: "It is going to turn much chillier, particularly through Thursday and Friday. Some areas could see snow, and some pretty significant snow.

"Most places are at risk. By Thursday and/or Friday, I think most places will stand risk of seeing something a bit wintry - sleet or snow."

While temperatures this week will be noticeably colder – even cooler weather is forecast to arrive next week.

Mr Keates added: "Next weekend we could be into minus double figures overnight. But this week it will be more about the feel, rather than the temperatures."

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for wind and snow in the North West from 6pm on Wednesday.

The Met Office chief forecaster added: “Cold air originating over Arctic Canada will affect the area from Wednesday evening through Thursday, bringing snow showers and strong winds.

“Wind gusts up to 55 mph are expected in exposed coastal areas and on hills in association with snow showers, leading to temporary blizzard conditions.

“As well as reduced visibility, two to five centimetres of snow could accumulate anywhere within the warning area, with ten to twenty centimetres possible above 300 metres.

“Lightning may accompany the heaviest showers, with potential disruption to power supplies as a consequence.”