Areas have been described as “gridlocked” with many closures on the A35 and some crashes reported.

The A35 is currently closed both eastbound and westbound between the Monkey’s Jump roundabout in Dorchester and Winterbourne Abbas.

Road to Martinstown (Image: NQ) Dorset Police officers are currently at two crashes, one in Long Rew Lane near Martinstown and another in Portesham Hill in Portesham.

Officers in Martinstown said: “The road is currently blocked as emergency services respond to the incident.

“We would ask motorists to please seek alternative routes at this time.”

And the officers in Portesham added: “The road is closed between Portesham Hill and the junction for Hardy’s Monument to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.”

The A354 has also been reported as impassable both ways due to snow between A35 (Puddletown / Blandford turn off, Puddletown) and A350 (Badger roundabout, Blandford St Mary).

The area of Gould’s Hill in Upwey is reportedly at a standstill and one motorist said there is “chaos” on the ridgeway between Dorchester and Weymouth. 

READ MORE: Major tailbacks as Ridgeway closed by police due to snow

Due to the current snow and more forecast, the following school services have been abandoned. Buses are turning around and returning students to their homes as there will be no service tonight.

This affects the following school services: A1, A2, B1, B2, B4, B5, C1 and C2. 

The following schools have been also been closed:

• Bridport Primary School, Bridport Closed

• Charmouth Primary School, Charmouth Closed

• Greenford CE Primary School, Dorchester Closed

• Piddle Valley CE First School, Dorchester Closed

• Portesham CE VA Primary School, Weymouth Closed

• The Sir John Colfox Academy, Bridport Closed

• The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester Closed

Despite the widespread school closures, Prince of Wales School in Dorchester remained open to allow pupils to enjoy the snow. 

READ MORE: Prince of Wales School remains open despite heavy snow

Art lessons have turned into “Sculpture Making,” where pupils are designing and building snowmen, while PE has become “Target Practice,” a safe and supervised snowball-throwing session aimed at improving coordination and teamwork.