WARNINGS about snow and ice in Sussex have been extended until Friday.

Yellow weather warnings are in place across most of the country from midday today as snow showers move in from the north and west.

Forecasters had predicted the worst of the weather would be over by Wednesday lunchtime.

But now The Met Office has extended the warning for the rest of the week.

It says: "A band of rain pushing east across parts of England is likely to turn to snow during Tuesday evening, with snow continuing into Wednesday.

"Accumulations of 1-3 cm are possible, particularly over parts of East Anglia and the high ground of Surrey, Sussex & Kent, with accumulations of 5 cm in places.

"As this clears, ice is likely to form on some surfaces on Wednesday morning."

It adds: "Rain and snow is expected to move in from the southwest, moving across England and Wales through Thursday into Friday.

"This is likely to fall as heavy rain at first across the far southwest of England, but as it meets the cold air established over the rest of the country snow becomes more likely.

"There is a chance of 2-5cm of snow for some places, timings are currently uncertain. 10cm is possible in places, though there is uncertainty at this stage on where is most likely to see the greater snowfall accumulations.

"Overnight Thursday into early Friday ice may also become a hazard on any untreated surfaces as temperatures fall below freezing."

Temperatures in Brighton are set to go below freezing tonight, while tomorrow highs won't go much above 4 degrees Celsius.

Motorists are being warned to expect tricky conditions on the roads, with the potential for black ice during tomorrow's morning rush hour.

Here is the Met Office regional forecast for London and South East England:

Headline:

Risk of snow and ice during Tuesday evening and night.

Today:

After a frosty start, Tuesday will be cold and start mainly dry. Clouding over during the morning with rain arriving by afternoon. This then probably turning to snow during the evening, with clearer conditions following across western areas. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Tonight:

Cloud, rain and snow across eastern areas clearing Kent around midnight. Clear and frosty conditions following with icy stretches developing. Winds becoming mainly light, with brisk winds near coasts decreasing. Minimum temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday:

Wednesday mostly sunny with light winds but cold with slow thaw of any lying snow. A few snow showers, mainly in west.

Widespread overnight frost developing with further ice likely. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Clouding over during Thursday with rain and snow arriving, perhaps lasting into Friday and possibly Saturday, but confidence remains low for detail.

Staying cold throughout with probable frost and ice.