A YELLOW weather warning is still in place for Essex as the Met Office warns snow showers will get worse.

People in Colchester woke up to light snow this morning which stopped falling before 9am, but experts anticipate this will get more persistent and widespread later today.

This is what the Met Office says on its website: "There is the potential for travel delays on roads, stranding of some vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

"Some rural communities could become cut off.

"Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected."

Between 5 and 10cm of snow is expected in parts of the county with other luckier areas experiencing no more than about 2cm.

Essex police has already urged drivers to reduce their speed and use dipped headlights following an accident this morning on the A12 northbound between junctions 18 (A414/Sandon) and 19 (Boreham Interchange) involving three vehicles.

According to Essex Weather Centre, Tuesday is when we are more likely to get "disruptive snow".

Despite people worrying of a blizzard on Friday, it is too early to say whether it will actually happen.

These are the rest of Essex Weather Centre's predictions here. 

Weather warnings will be updated throughout the day so in the meantime, wrap up warm and check for travel disruptions before you head out.

Greater Anglia has already warned services could be changed or cancelled at short notice, but also that there will be a reduced service from 8pm.

The rail provider is proposing these changes for the week ahead...

As expected, the advice for residents everywhere is to be compassionate and check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.

Daily between 10am until 3pm this week, there is a pop-up shop in Culver Square where you can get advice on staying warm this winter.

But also Colchester Rough Sleepers Group is asking for donations of Bivvy Bags to help the homeless.

Colchester General Hospital has said "no news is good news" with regards to GP and hospital appointments which should be going ahead as usual.

Nick Hulme, chief executive of the hospital, is already one step ahead and the NHS has lots of advice for staying well and warm right here.  

What schools are closed in north Essex?

So far, just St Luke's Church of England Primary School, in Tiptree, closed early this afternoon and will remain shut on Tuesday.

Headteacher Martin Moriarty wrote on Facebook: "We run the school heating on two boilers, one of which is broken. With the cold weather we are now unable to heat the building to the minimum level.

"An engineer has been on site and will be revisiting tomorrow, but cannot guarantee parts.

"As the forecast is for no improvement in the temperature, we will be closed tomorrow, February 27, and will inform you when we are able to open again."

Emergency school closures are updated online by 6pm for the following day.

Click here for the full list as they are announced.