The first snow of 2021 has fallen in parts of Norfolk with more to come as a band of seasonal weather sweeps across the county.

Snowfall in Norfolk

Some areas in Mid and West Norfolk have seen a covering of snow of up to two to three centimetres on Saturday morning as forecasts of snow and sleet for much of the region through the morning.

Areas around King's Lynn have seen sustained snow falls and it has been particularly bad around the Fakenham area.

An amber weather warning for snow has been issued for many parts of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Diss Mercury: The amber weather warning which has been put in place for snow for Norfolk and Suffolk and other parts of the east.The amber weather warning which has been put in place for snow for Norfolk and Suffolk and other parts of the east. (Image: Met Office)

The Met Office has put the warning in place - its second highest - from 5am on Saturday morning to 2pm.

They warn it could lead to travel delays on roads, cancellations and delays to rail travel, potential power cuts and the possibility of rural communities being cut off.

Diss Mercury: Snow in the centre of Norwich.Snow in the centre of Norwich. (Image: Sabrina Johnson)

Earlier reports said snow was falling in South Norfolk including Pulham Market, Long Stratton and Wymondham.

Norwich began to see snow at shortly before 8am while snow was also reported in Cromer, Lenwade and Toftwood near Dereham.

Andy Ellis, duty manager for highways at Norfolk County Council, said: “We have been out salting since yesterday afternoon.

"We went out at 3am and the gritters are out now and will be out again early this afternoon. We are getting lots of salt down which will help treat the snow as people drive over it.

Diss Mercury: Snow in a garden in Thorpe St Andrew.Snow in a garden in Thorpe St Andrew. (Image: Archant)

“There shouldn’t be as many people as normal on the roads with lockdown but we are keeping the roads as free as possible so that the people who do have to go out, help workers, carers, people delivering food, can do so safely.

“We are looking at about three inches of snow but the slat that we’ve put down should keep things moving.”

Norfolk Rural Crime tweeted: “Please carefully consider if your journey is essential this morning. Weather forecast suggests it will get worse before getting better. We are already seeing weather related calls on the roads.”

Snow is causing problems for drivers on two main roads in the Fakenham area said to be impassable.

The A148 both ways between the A1067 Clipbush Lane and Blakeney Road was reported to be impassable due to snow at 8.15am. The A1065 is also affected.

The A1122 at Downham Market is said to be impassable between the A10 and A134.

At Gaydon the B1145 Lynn Road was impassable due to snow both ways between Pound Lane and B1153. Surrounding routes are also seeing delays as traffic takes extra care following recent snow.

There was heavy traffic at Harling due to snow on A11 between A1075 and B1111. Surrounding routes are also showing delays following snowfall too.

And the B1108 Brandon Road was impassable both ways between A1065 and Swaffham Road near Watton.

Snow had also made the A1065 both ways between A148 Creake Road (Shell roundabout) and the Castle Acre Turn off impassable near Holt. The B1149 Norwich Road is affected both ways between B1354 and A148.

Also snowbound was the A1122 Downham Road which was impassable both ways between Main Road and A134 Lynn Road.

Norwich-based forecasters Weatherquest said the county was set for a wintry start with sleet or snow, persistent in places, but turning to rain through the morning.

James Christopher Long, who has run the Norwich Weather Livestreams channels on social media for five years, said there was a risk of flooding.

It follows high water levels on the River Wensum at Hellesdon Mill that led to flooding over the festive period.

Diss Mercury: Snow at Hellesdon Mill where there is a fear there could be more flooding.Snow at Hellesdon Mill where there is a fear there could be more flooding. (Image: Norwich Weather Livestreams)

He said: “With the heaviest of the snow still to come over the next hour roads are very slushy in places so some very dangerous driving conditions and risk of flooding at Hellesdon mill again later.”

The amber warning covers much of Norfolk, though the east coast falls under a yellow warning.

Chris Bell, director and forecaster at Weatherquest, said on Twitter that the levels we'd receive were not yet clear, with models showed anything from a "small, slushy accumulation" to as much as four inches.

Norfolk Fire Service warned drivers to take care, tweeting: “If you must go out for essential reasons, please take extra care on the roads. Drive according to the road conditions and stay safe.”