Plymouth has been issued a snow and ice warning covering the city from Wednesday lunchtime through to late on Thursday evening.
The Met Office has confirmed that the city is in the path of a band of wintry showers sweeping down across Devon and Cornwall.
The yellow warning means residents are being warned to expect sudden changes in weather conditions and the risk of travel disruption as temperatures plunge.
Forecasters say showers moving in on sharp northerly winds could turn to sleet, hail and snow across large parts of the region with the potential for short bursts of heavy snowfall away from the coast.
Some areas in Devon and Cornwall are expected to see between two and five centimetres of snow with a chance of isolated ten centimetre accumulations on higher ground.
Drivers are being told to prepare for longer journeys and sudden patches of ice particularly on routes in and out of the city and those crossing higher ground towards Dartmoor and Cornwall.
The warning has been classed as low likelihood but medium impact meaning most areas will avoid the worst effects yet localised problems could be significant if showers become persistent.
Forecasters say hail and gusty winds could sweep through parts of Plymouth with melting snow expected to refreeze after dark.
Residents are being advised to plan ahead for the next forty eight hours by checking routes before travelling, packing warm clothing and essential supplies in their cars and taking extra care on foot or bicycle.
Anyone heading out early on Thursday or Friday morning is being warned to expect icy conditions even where snow has not settled as thawing moisture refreezes overnight.
The Met Office says the warning could be updated at short notice depending on the position of the wintry showers and has urged people in Plymouth to keep up with the latest forecasts as the cold spell continues.
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