Risk of icy patches and snow showers

Freezing conditions are continuing to grip Devon and there is further risk of snow showers and icy patches early tomorrow morning.

Devon County Council’s gritters are carrying out multiple treatments on 2,000 miles of the county’s roads.

Secondary routes are being treated this afternoon, before heading onto Devon’s main salting network at 7pm and again in the early hours.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for snow and ice from around midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow morning. Up to 4cm of snow is forecast for Dartmoor and across south Devon, which could cause some travel disruption.

Road surface temperatures are set to reach around -6C this evening, and the severe cold weather is expected to remain until the weekend.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We’ve seen a few small flurries of snow in parts of the county already this week, but there is a risk of further snow showers on Dartmoor and across the south of the county from the early hours of tomorrow morning. Icy patches are also a possibility throughout Devon so we would encourage everyone to please take extra care if you are heading out on local roads.

“Our roads have been well gritted throughout this week, but there is still water run-off which is continuing to freeze and thaw and this can create hazardous conditions, particularly on untreated roads. It’s also worth remembering that in extreme cold, even salting cannot stop ice from forming, so if you’re driving, please drive according to conditions.”

Devon County Council is reminding people of the following advice:

• Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures, and road conditions are less easily identified;

• Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming;

• Allow additional time for your journey and reduce your speed;

• Drive with care and according to the conditions;

• If you have vulnerable or elderly neighbours, think about how they could possibly be helped through the cold spell;

• Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are 65 or over. NHS Choices has more information on staying healthy during cold weather;

• Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions and ensure you are stocked with food and medications.

For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit: www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert