MONMOUTHSHIRE could be set to see the first snow of the winter as the Met Office issues a yellow warning for snow ahead of the weather turning colder later this week.

The warning which was issued just after midday yesterday and affects Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent, says that rain moving east across the UK could turn to snow in some places.

Although the chances of snow settling are said to be unlikely associated heavy rain and strong winds could cause hazardous, especially to drivers.

The yellow warning continues, “If the area of heavy rain moves further north, this would pull cold air into the system and bring snow to parts of southern England and south Wales. At the same time heavy rain will likely persist in some areas along with the potential for some locally strong winds.”

The Chronicle’s weatherman Jonathan Powell also warns that the Abergavenny area could be facing a bitter weekend.

"After a fairly passive winter so far, colder air plunges down across Wales to give an icy blast of weather," said Jonathan.

" From Thursday until early next week, expect temperatures to plummet, with overnight values possibly as low as -3C, lower in sheltered rural areas, generating a penetrating, hard frost. Along with the cold temperatures, wintry conditions are to be expected, but chiefly over higher ground. A rain/sleet/snow mix at lower levels is the most likely outcome here, with mountainous areas seeing snow cause possible short-lived issues for a time. At the start of next week, whilst it will remain cold, daytime temperatures should show signs of some recovery."