Nottinghamshire has been put on a severe cold weather alert this week, with heavy snow, sleet and ice forecast
Temperatures are set to plummet across the county tonight with outbreaks of sleet and snow expected throughout the day tomorrow, leaving driving conditions difficult.
The latest forecast comes after the Met Office issued a severe cold weather alert for the region this week, warning that there is a 90 per cent probability that there will be cold weather and icy conditions across the East Midlands between now and Thursday, January 22.
A spokesman for the weather forecasting authority said: “Large areas of England will experience colder than average conditions in the coming week, with widespread overnight frosts.
“This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.”
Nottinghamshire County Council has issued this advice to motorists;
- Reduce speed and allow extra space to slow down – it can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road,
- Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin whilst maintaining appropriate speed,
- Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration,
- Plan your route to work – and make sure you have a road atlas in your car,
- Ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly if skidding occurs,
- Clear snow from all windows and also the roof, otherwise this can fall onto the windscreen obscuring your view and could potentially result in a fine – it can also be a hazard to other road users,
- Help gritters and emergency services get through to keep the roads clear – if you’re forced to abandon your car, make sure you leave it as close to the side of the road as you can.
