Heavy snow will fall in coastal parts of Suffolk and north Essex overnight – and the first flurries are starting to sweep in from the east already, forecasters believe.

Forecaster Adam Dury, from Norwich based Weatherquest, is predicting coastal and eastern parts of Suffolk and north Essex will get another 5-6cm of snow overnight into Wednesday.

He said: “We are already starting to see a few snow showers coming in from the east and these will start to get heavier overnight.

East Anglian Daily Times: Snow falls on the A14 near to the Orwell Bridge. Picture: CARL HARLOTTSnow falls on the A14 near to the Orwell Bridge. Picture: CARL HARLOTT (Image: Archant)

“The weather system coming up from the south could bring gusts of 35mph and upwards to the region, and with those blustery winds it will feel bitterly cold.

“On Thursday morning temperatures will struggle to get above freezing, and some areas particularly on the coast again could be around -5C to -6C in the early hours.

East Anglian Daily Times: Martin and Rachel Haindl playing with their dog in Abbey Gardens. Picture: GREGG BROWNMartin and Rachel Haindl playing with their dog in Abbey Gardens. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“More snow could be brought in again, around 2-3cm.”

Read more: Stunning pictures capture snowy scenes in Suffolk and north EssexStrong winds – some that could be gale force – and more snowfall are also predicted to spark disruption in the region until Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Early risers make the most of the fresh snow in Christchurch Park. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNEarly risers make the most of the fresh snow in Christchurch Park. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Highways bosses, who have not made any decisions yet about whether they will close the Orwell Bridge, said they are monitoring the situation closely.

Met Office forecasters have put a yellow ‘be prepared’ weather warning of wind and snow put in place from midnight on Friday until 11.55pm on Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Market Hill in Framlingham. Picture: GUY DOWNESMarket Hill in Framlingham. Picture: GUY DOWNES

The chief forecaster said: “A weather system is expected to move slowly north through Thursday, initially affecting the south east of the warning area before intensifying and pushing north across the rest of the warning area later on.

“As it comes into contact with the very cold air resident over the UK, it has potential to produce widespread snow, accompanied by strong to gale force winds.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Felixstowe Seafront in the snow. Picture: CHRIS CLOVERFelixstowe Seafront in the snow. Picture: CHRIS CLOVER

Highways England chiefs added: “We are not currently planning to close the Orwell Bridge but we are keeping a close eye on the situation and should the situation change we will inform people as soon as possible.”

• Keep an eye on our homepage for the latest travel updates and school closures as they come in tonight and tomorrow morning.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bury St Edmunds is covered in a blanket of snow. Picture: GREGG BROWNBury St Edmunds is covered in a blanket of snow. Picture: GREGG BROWN