UP to 10cms of snow could fall in some parts of Suffolk tonight and early tomorrow, it’s been forecast.

Norwich-based Weatherquest says the majority will fall between Monday afternoon and 3am on Tuesday.

Forecaster Dan Holley predicted there will be 5-8cms of snow across Suffolk and north Essex, with the area between Mildenhall and Newmarket worst hit.

Mr Holley added some parts of the county could see up to 10cms.

He said: “The heaviest snow is in a line from Cambridgeshire down to Chelmsford, pushing eastwards. So there’s going to be quite a spread of snow in Suffolk and Essex.

“South Essex and along the coast there could be rain and sleet mixed in. But as we go through the night that will be more likely to turn to snow.

“It should gradually clear away by the end of the night, so by the time people get up for work it won’t be snowing.”

He added there could be “a few snow showers” on Tuesday afternoon, but not on the scale expected for Monday evening.

Earlier the first snowfalls of 2013 left a crisp dusting across the west of the county.

The wintry images in our gallery show the current scenes in Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds.

Teams of gritters were today preparing for the worst as the first heavy snowfall of the winter is predicted for the county.

The county’s major routes were gritted on Sunday night and again from noon on Monday. Teams are also on stand by to continue the work into Monday night if necessary.

Snowfalls are predicted to spread into the county during the day from the west. It was snowing in Bury St Edmunds by lunchtime and it was expected to reach the east of Suffolk by about 6pm.

By then it may have turned to sleet or cold rain near the coast, but the gritters are ready whatever the weather.

A spokeswoman for the county council said 45 gritters had been sent out to tackle around 3,300km of Suffolk’s roads and ensure that a layer of salt is on the county’s roads ahead of any snow falling.

Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for roads said; “I really can’t stress enough how important it is for those hoping to travel across the county this afternoon to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.

“Our gritters will be out to deal with the snow, which is expected to be falling during rush hour. This can make it difficult for our gritters to move around and deal with the falling snow easily.

“It is imperative that motorists do all they can to regularly check the weather forecast, drive to the conditions and stay safe on the county’s roads this afternoon.”

The county currently has 16,000 tonnes of grit stored at nine salt barns across Suffolk.

Gritting teams have been put on 12-hour shifts for the next five days as forecasters predict more snow and low temperatures during the week.

Is it snowing in your part of the region? Send us your pictures through the iwitness24.co.uk website.