UK braced for snow chaos as gritter trucks clock up a million miles
ClickGreen
4th February 2012
A huge snow storm is set to cause widespread disruption across the UK this weekend as an Atlantic weather system moves in from the west.
The recent spell of sub-zero temperatures is set to come to an abrupt end today as heavy snow is forecast to fall across much of the country.
The Met Office has issued an amber alert warning of snow for most of England including London and the South East, the East coast and the North West.
The Severe Weather Warning is valid until midnight tonight although a further, less severe, yellow snow alert is in effect until mid-day tomorrow.
The long-range forecast shows a split across the country with the north being hit by snow and the south remaining dry but returning to the polar, sub-zero temperatures from Wednesday.
Last Thursday night saw temperatures across the UK fall to between -6 °C and -8 °C in many areas and as low as -11.3 °C at Sennybridge, Powys, Wales.
Paul Gundersen, deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “As this front moves in from the west it will come up against cold air and we’re likely to see a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the UK.
“It’s a finely balanced situation, so there is some uncertainty about which areas will see the most significant snowfall, but at the moment the risk is highest in central and eastern areas where we could see up to five to 10 centimetres of snow.
“With this risk of snow and ice over the next few days it is important people stay up to date with weather forecasts and warnings for the latest information.”
The alert comes just as the Highway Agency’s gritting fleet reaches the million mile landmark for treating roads since the start of winter.
“By this morning our winter fleet had clocked up 977,141 miles, so it’s pretty certain they’ll reach the million mark over the weekend,” says Jason Glasson of the Highways Agency’s winter team.
“It has been a busy week for our winter fleet crews as a result of the very cold weather and they are preparing for a busy weekend ahead.”
It is expected to stay very cold over the weekend, with snow in many areas.
Following advice from Met Office forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s national traffic operations centre, the Agency has issued an amber alert for road users. Snow is predicted to move across the north, Midlands, east and south east of England during Saturday afternoon and evening meaning an increased risk of adverse driving conditions.
As well as the more visible risk of snow, the Highways Agency is warning of the less obvious risk of ice, especially as any rain falls on very cold road surfaces.
The Met Office has issued an amber alert warning of snow for most of England including London and the South East, the East coast and the North West.
The Severe Weather Warning is valid until midnight tonight although a further, less severe, yellow snow alert is in effect until mid-day tomorrow.
The long-range forecast shows a split across the country with the north being hit by snow and the south remaining dry but returning to the polar, sub-zero temperatures from Wednesday.
Last Thursday night saw temperatures across the UK fall to between -6 °C and -8 °C in many areas and as low as -11.3 °C at Sennybridge, Powys, Wales.
Paul Gundersen, deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “As this front moves in from the west it will come up against cold air and we’re likely to see a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the UK.
“It’s a finely balanced situation, so there is some uncertainty about which areas will see the most significant snowfall, but at the moment the risk is highest in central and eastern areas where we could see up to five to 10 centimetres of snow.
“With this risk of snow and ice over the next few days it is important people stay up to date with weather forecasts and warnings for the latest information.”
The alert comes just as the Highway Agency’s gritting fleet reaches the million mile landmark for treating roads since the start of winter.
“By this morning our winter fleet had clocked up 977,141 miles, so it’s pretty certain they’ll reach the million mark over the weekend,” says Jason Glasson of the Highways Agency’s winter team.
“It has been a busy week for our winter fleet crews as a result of the very cold weather and they are preparing for a busy weekend ahead.”
It is expected to stay very cold over the weekend, with snow in many areas.
Following advice from Met Office forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s national traffic operations centre, the Agency has issued an amber alert for road users. Snow is predicted to move across the north, Midlands, east and south east of England during Saturday afternoon and evening meaning an increased risk of adverse driving conditions.
As well as the more visible risk of snow, the Highways Agency is warning of the less obvious risk of ice, especially as any rain falls on very cold road surfaces.
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